David Savard is going through a particularly difficult period with the Montreal Canadiens. Relegated to a marginal role in the team, he sees his importance diminishing day by day.
Already confined to the third defensive pair at the start of the season, Savard now faces the brutal reality of no longer being essential to a team that has found solutions elsewhere.
Savard’s situation began to deteriorate with the arrival of young defenders like Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle, who quickly demonstrated their ability to play important minutes.
However, the final blow came with the acquisition of Alexandre Carrier. The latter solidified the defensive top 4 and offered stability that was sorely lacking.
Is that why he had less and less of a good attitude?
Before he was injured, his behavior on the ice began to come under criticism, not only for his play, but also for his attitude towards the referees.
The former vice-president of Quebecor Media, Sylvain Chamberland, was scathing towards David Savard.
The “big boss” of the media shared his exasperation at the behavior of the Montreal Canadiens defender towards the referees.
The video clip is scathing.
Already losing ground in the Habs’ defensive organization, Savard is now criticized for his tendency to regularly protest to officials, a habit that annoys some observers.
Since the start of the season, Savard has been seen on several occasions contesting refereeing decisions, often with intensity.
Although players sometimes have valid reasons to complain, Savard’s repetitive attitude is starting to irritate.
Many analysts and fans believe that he spends too much time arguing with referees, instead of focusing on his game.
“That’s not what you expect from a veteran, especially on a young team like the Canadiens,” Chamberland said.
We must admit that when you are in the third pair and your minutes decrease, it is not by complaining to the referees that you are going to regain the trust of your coaches.
These incessant protests are probably a reflection of the stress and frustration accumulated by Savard. Seeing his role diminish and his place in the team becoming uncertain, he seems unable to hide his discontent.
His interactions with referees have become a way to express that frustration, but they are now drawing criticism.
We understand that he’s going through a difficult time, but it becomes a distraction. Sometimes he spends more time arguing with the referees than concentrating on the game.
This is not the image we want to project as a team.
The problem is that these constant protests have repercussions. Not only do they harm Savard’s concentration, but they also risk tarnishing the team’s reputation with officials.
In a sport where refereeing decisions can swing one way or the other, the collective image of a disciplined team is essential.
Martin St-Louis, known for his calm behind the bench, has also suggested that this attitude does not correspond to what he expects from his players.
“We want our guys to focus on what they can control, and that’s their game. The referees are part of the game, but it’s our reaction that makes the difference,” he said recently, without however naming Savard directly.
Savard’s behavior could also contribute to reinforcing the perception that he is overwhelmed by the situation.
His repeated criticism of referees gives the impression that he is looking for excuses rather than solutions, which could work against him if teams consider acquiring him before the trade deadline.
“If you are a team interested in a player like Savard, you want a calm veteran who inspires confidence in critical moments.
These behaviors do not work in its favor, especially in a competitive market where every detail counts.
For David Savard, the key could lie in a change of attitude. If he can channel his frustration and focus on his game, he could find his inner calm.
Difficult in his situation.
Martin St-Louis, while praising Carrier’s qualities, also highlighted what Savard could no longer offer.
“Carrier brings a lot of stability to our young defensive brigade. He is very intelligent, predictable, and manages risks well”said the head coach.
Words which, although laudatory for Carrier, resonate as an implicit criticism of Savard, whose impact now seems limited.
With recent adjustments, each Canadian defender seems to have found a specific role. Guhle has returned to the left, Hutson and Matheson are playing in more suitable contexts, and Carrier has taken on tough defensive missions.
Meanwhile, Savard, once a key player to counter the best opposing attackers, finds himself confined to limited minutes and without a real clear mission.
“It’s frustrating”confided a source close to the player.
“David is a professional, but it’s hard to see the team succeed without you being a big part of that success. »
As if this on-ice situation wasn’t enough, Savard is also surrounded by trade rumors. Teams like Edmonton, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Dallas and Colorado have reportedly shown interest, but the stress of a potential move is taking a toll on the player and his family.
Ottawa tried to approach the CH, but was rejected.
A departure to Edmonton, for example, would represent a major challenge. Savard, deeply attached to Quebec, would have to move away from his loved ones and his family environment.
This scenario is particularly difficult to envisage for his wife and children, who appreciate the stability and French-speaking life that Montreal offers.
The possibility of an exchange in Los Angeles, a sunny place where he could find his friend Phil Danault, could be a less disturbing option, but it does not erase the feeling of rejection that Savard is experiencing at the moment.
Savard, although affected, is lucid enough to understand what is happening. At 33, he knows that his best years are behind him and that the team is building its future around promising young talents.
But accepting this reality doesn’t make the situation any less painful.
What’s hard is seeing that we no longer count on you like before.
He understands the decisions, but it remains difficult to live with.
David Savard seems destined to leave Montreal, whether before the trade deadline or at the end of the season.
His reduced role and the arrival of players like Carrier make his future with the Canadian more and more uncertain.
For a player who gave everything for the team, this transition is a stark reminder of the realities of professional hockey.
But for Savard, it is the human impacts that are the heaviest to bear.
As he continues to put on the Canadiens jersey, he knows that his time in Montreal is numbered. And although the end of this chapter is difficult to accept, he hopes that his experience and his professionalism can still find a place elsewhere, in a team that will need his qualities.
In the meantime, Savard goes through a dark period, marked by uncertainty and a faded role. But if there’s one thing we know about David Savard, it’s that he’s a fighter.
No matter where he goes, he will continue to fight, for his team and for his family.
