“According to what I hear and what I see, David Savard will probably be traded.” This is what he said a source to journalist Marco D’Amico from the website rg.org.
Another speaker surveyed by this media, a recruiter, for his part admitted that the team for which he works had held discussions with the Canadiens to acquire the big bearded man.
“We seriously considered Savard last year, but we were not able to close the file,” revealed the said recruiter, as cited by rg.org. The extra year in his contract was incompatible with our salary structure. But as a pure rental player? This type of discussion will resume in February.
“Savard is a shot-blocking machine and you can easily put him on your second or third pair. It’s worth its weight in gold in the playoffs.”
Savard, 34, will become an uncompensated free agent at the end of the season. As he is the only veteran on the CH blue line at the moment with Mike Matheson, it will be more difficult for general manager Kent Hughes to trade him if the team is at the height of the playoff race at the end. The trade deadline is approaching.
Impossible to predict if Savard will actually be traded, but one thing is certain, the rumors are growing. On Monday, David Pagnotta linked Savard to the Edmonton Oilers, who were naturally able to observe him closely in a 3-0 defeat at the Bell Center in the evening.
The CH currently finds itself in a curious in-between. He is only three points behind the Boston Bruins, who hold the last position giving access to the playoffs in the East, but he is also only three points behind the Chicago Blackhawks located in 32nd and last place in the general ranking.
Buyers might be disappointed
Things change quickly in the hockey world, but right off the bat it looks like there will be few options for buyers at the deadline, especially among defensemen.
Savard, Cody Ceci, Jan Rutta, Dante Fabbro and Erik Johnson will be considered by teams who want to add to the blue line.
This dynamic could help Hughes, as it makes Savard even more attractive. But conversely, it will be difficult to raise the stakes if teams do not embark on a mad race to improve by responding to each acquisition of a rival.
However, the dilemma will be important for Hughes if a team offers a first round pick or a good hope for the services of a veteran at the end of his contract, especially if the CH’s position in the playoff race appears more or less clear.
Even though his playing time has decreased compared to the previous season, Savard remains the fourth most used defender for the Habs with an average of 18 minutes and 43 seconds. He is frequently employed to the right of Lane Hutson and plays a significant role as mentor to the young man.
