Marc Savard is a wonderfully talented hockey player who has done nothing but put up points over the last two years. I've been tracking him since he won two scoring titles in the OHL. (And would have been the first to win it three straight years if not for an injury).
But he doesn't have a track record of success. You can pin the blame on his team, but what has he ever won? And when the season is done, why hasn't he been on Canada's World Championship team? Performance at the Worlds carries a lot of weight in Gretzky's eyes. Just ask Ryan Smyth and (until tomorrow) Eric Brewer.
Also, as pointed out before, there are plenty of other highly skilled centres out there who contribute more than just offence. Sakic is the ultimate player: dangerous as a shooter and a passer, dominant in the defensive zone, and a great leader. Thornton is an awesome combination of size and skill. So is Lecavalier. (Richards will get shifted to the wing, which he has played extensively). Savard? If he's not on your top two lines, he might as well not be playing.
Draper is the shut-down centre. I don't see Savard getting that role. (I'd actually rather see Alyn McCauley in that spot, but he's not eligible because he was left off the 81-player list).
With the exception of Thornton, all of these players have won multiple championships of some form since graduating junior. Thornton was the best player at May's World Championships, and did come out of it with a silver. Thus, he's a lock.
Daniel Briere, another highly-skilled but diminutive centre, has a better shot of making this team. Why? Two world championship gold medals. (2003 and 2004). Of course, Briere won't be part of the team this year, and nor does he deserve to be.
Gretzky has previously said that those who have won as part of the program before will have to play their way off the team. Savard hasn't won anything, and he's 28.
A gifted centre? Yes. I'd give him strong consideration for my B team. But Team Canada 2006 material? No. Not when you look at the multiple giftings and the past track record of those ahead of him.