Savard fired five shots on net over 20:38 of ice time during Wednesday's loss to Calgary.

EDGE Analysis

It was a season-high mark in the shot column for the 25-year-old defenseman, but with the arrival of Seth Jones last season and the emergence of Zach Werenski this year, Savard is locked into a supporting role. In fact, Savard entered Wednesday's game with just 18 shots on net through the first 17 games of the season while averaging just 15 seconds of power-play time. He hardly warrants fantasy attention at this point.

Savard lit the lamp and added a plus-2 rating during Friday's 10-0 wallop of the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

Savard is not a regular scorer, but when your team drops 10, odds are you get in on the fun. The 26-year-old blueliner is off to a decent start to 2016-17, earning just three points through nine games, but he does have a plus-2 rating. The 2009 fourth-round pick had his season cut short last year, but he was well on his way to surpassing 30 points for a second straight campaign. If he keeps a clean bill of health, Savard is a candidate to challenge his career high and improve upon it.

Savard is expected to start the 2016-17 campaign as a top-four defenseman, Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Not much has been made of Savard's season-ending surgery to correct a bone chip in his foot last April, but that suggests that he's good to go entering a new campaign. The 25-year-old has seen his ice time climb in three straight seasons, including on special teams, where he averaged 2:08 on the power play and 2:55 shorthanded in 2015-16. While Columbus is far from a dangerous offensive team, it's worth noting that Savard averaged roughly 0.42 points per game the past two years, making him a sneaky fantasy option to target in the late rounds of drafts.

Savard, who had a piece of a bone "floating" in his foot per GM Jarmo Kekalainen, underwent surgery Monday to address the issue, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report adds that Savard played through both a chipped bone in his foot and a strained oblique muscle for most of the season, while recording four goals and 25 points in 65 games in the process. On the plus side, with the blueliner looking at a 6-8 week recovery period, he should be 100 percent by the time training camp rolls around. He's signed with Columbus through 2020-21, at an annual cap hit of $4,250,000.

Savard picked up a pair of helpers, adding a plus-3 rating and two hits in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

Savard went pointless for nine straight in March, but the 25-year-old has managed to reach the scoresheet in two consecutive games after his second multi-assist outing of the year. That gives the blueliner 20 helpers to date, which is still five short of his career high (injuries plagued his campaign).

Savard scored twice in Friday's 6-3 doubling up of the visiting Oilers. He also tied a season high with five shots on goal.

EDGE Analysis

Savard tripled his goal output on the season from one to three in this one, snapping a pair of even-strength goals past rookie netminder Laurent Brossoit. The blueliner also has 17 assists in 48 games this year, giving him an even 20 points thus far in his fifth NHL campaign.

Savard received 19:48 TOI in his return from an oblique injury Saturday, recording a plus-1 rating with four shots on net, three blocks shots and two hits.

EDGE Analysis

His ice time is likely to trend downwards a little now that Seth Jones has established himself as the Jackets' number one blueliner, but Savard should still see heavy usage on one of Columbus' top two pairs. Without big power play minutes, however, he'll have a hard time matching last season's 11 goals and 36 points, so don't expect a big second half from Savard in most fantasy formats.

As expected, Savard (oblique) will return to the lineup Saturday night against the visiting Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Columbus may be last in the Metropolitan Division standings, but the team is still fighting hard with a 5-3-2 record over the past 10 games. Savard's presence in the lineup has significant implications as he's averaged just over 24 minutes per game this season and has a playmaker's touch as well. The fourth-year blueliner has recorded 16 points in 39 games this season.

Savard (oblique) was activated off injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Savard has missed the Blue Jackets' last 11 games with an oblique strain, but was a full participant in Monday's practice, which was the first indication that he was likely nearing a return to game action. The Blue Jackets will welcome the 25-year-old blueliner back to the lineup with open arms, as he has averaged over 24 minutes of ice time per game when healthy this season. Savard will likely slot back into the lineup as a top-four defender Saturday against the Senators.

Savard (oblique) was a full participant at Monday's practice, but coach John Tortorella indicated after practice that he remains "day-to-day" and isn't expected to play Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

While Savard still seems unlikely to dress for Tuesday's contest, the fact that he participated fully in practice Monday and is considered just day-to-day bodes well for a potential return in the near future. Assuming he misses Tuesday as expected, his next to rejoin the lineup would then come Thursday against the Ducks.