NHL: Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers - Source: Imagn — David Savard trade likely after Montreal Canadiens acquire Alexandre Carrier (Source: Imagn)

Pierre LeBrun makes bold claim about $14,000,000 Montreal Canadiens D-man's "eventual departure" after latest trade acquisition

Modified Dec 20, 2024 05:42 GMT

On December 19, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun made a bold claim about the future of Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard. After the team acquired Alexandre Carrier, LeBrun suggested that a Savard trade could happen soon.

Savard is currently signed to a four-year, $14,000,000 contract with a cap hit of $3,500,000 per season. This deal was signed on July 28, 2021, and ends after the 2024-25 season when Savard will be 34 years old.

LeBrun said the connection between Carrier’s arrival and Savard’s departure seems clear. Savard is a pending unrestricted free agent and has been a reliable veteran for the Montreal Canadiens. LeBrun noted there have been no talks between the team and Savard’s camp about a one-year extension. This makes it likely that this will be Savard’s last season in Montreal.

LeBrun added that a trade could happen closer to the March 7 trade deadline if the team is out of playoff contention.

(1:24)"It's not hard to draw a straight line between the arrival of Carrier and the eventual departure of David Savard quality veteran for the Habs the last few years, he's a pending UFA,

"David Savard, there have not been any talks at all between Habs management and Savard camp about a potential one year extension, none of that. So it does feel like this would be his last year in Montreal... probably a rental trade to another team for David Savard, although I don't think Montreal is in any hurry to move him," LeBrun said (via TSN on Thursday).

The Montreal Canadiens acquired Carrier to add leadership and support their younger defensemen. The move was not just to replace Savard. However, if there are no plans to extend Savard’s contract, a trade seems likely.

Other NHL teams may be interested in Savard as a veteran defenseman. If the Canadiens are not in the playoff race near the deadline, Savard could be traded. The team might even pull him from the lineup in preparation for a deal.

Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-1 on Tuesday

The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-1 at Bell Centre. Joel Armia scored 19 seconds in after a lucky bounce, making it 1-0. Patrik Laine scored a power-play goal at 6:26, extending the lead to 2-0.

Dylan Cozens got Buffalo on the board with a wrist shot at 3:43, cutting the lead to 2-1. Juraj Slafkovsky responded at 5:54, banking a rebound off the goalie to make it 3-1. Laine added two quick 5-on-3 power-play goals. He scored at 9:45 with a slap shot and again at 10:55, completing his hat trick.

Josh Anderson finished the scoring at 19:15 with a goal near the crease. Montreal's win moved them to seventh in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo lost their 11th straight game.