Before the trade deadline, Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard has become a sought-after commodity for NHL teams looking to bolster their defense. When Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period spoke on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio (via NHLRumors.com) on Wednesday, he confirmed the increasing interest in Savard. While talking about the Canadiens’ trade plan as they navigate another season that will undoubtedly conclude with a losing record as the team continues its rebuilding efforts,
Pagnotta noted the outside interest in the blueliner. In Montreal, Pagnotta stated, “I think Ken Hughes and the Canadiens would certainly be willing to listen now on David Savard,” before outlining the larger situation. As the March trade deadline approaches, Pagnotta continued, Montreal can decide to postpone a transaction in order to optimize the return. “I think they might want to push things off to try to maximize that return later on in the season,”
Pagnotta stated. Savard is a versatile defenseman with playoff experience who has a reasonable $3.5 million cap charge on an expiring deal. As such, he is a desirable asset for competing clubs seeking to add depth. Pagnotta said that he would be even more appealing to cap-strapped players since the Canadiens might keep up to 50% of his contract. “At $1.75 million [with retention],
he’s going to be a very attractive piece,” Pagnotta stated. Savard played hockey in the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, including helping Tampa Bay win the 2021 Stanley Cup, after missing the next two years after making his first postseason trip in 2014 with the Blue Jackets. He participated in 20 games and scored five points. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers,
who are in need of defense depth and grit, might be serious bidders, according to Pagnotta, even if a first-round choice might not be available this time. “I can certainly see a team, and I think this has been suggested before out West, the Edmonton Oilers looking to add a player of his caliber to their back end later on in the season,” Pagnotta stated. The Canadiens are one of three NHL teams tied with 12 points through Thursday, and they are behind all other clubs in the Atlantic Division.
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