This isn’t how anyone would have scripted it for Montreal Canadiens defenceman David Savard.
The Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec-native arrived in Montreal in 2022, joining a team that had just enjoyed a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. It was supposed to be an opportunity, a chance at a dream “last hurrah” with his hometown club. Instead, it turned into a quagmire, a slog through three seasons of losing.
Throughout it all, Savard didn’t complain. He simply put his head down and dedicated himself to a new role: leader. As the years wore on, if it wasn’t possible on the ice, the locker room would have to suffice.
Heading into 2024-25, Savard remained a cornerstone on the Canadiens’ blue line. However, this season played out differently. As the Canadiens surged in December, Savard’s role was reduced. His 20 minutes became 15, and then dipped closer to 10 as the Habs made a post-season push.
Everyone could see what was happening, including Savard himself, who publicly declared his intention to retire after the conclusion of the season.
Still, the hope remained that the conclusion to Savard’s final season would be a valiant skate into the sunset, whenever it might come. Two playoff games in, the reality is much harsher. Savard is by some margin the Canadiens’ weakest link on the blue line. Not only are his strengths diminished, but the nature of the series — in which the Habs must attack more than defend — magnifies his weaknesses.
This is not a secret, especially to head coach Martin St-Louis. Savard only played 9:24 at five-on-five in Game 1, almost a full five minutes less than Jayden Struble (14:09). That was followed by 8:26 in Game 2, a considerable amount again below Struble (10:25), and leagues behind Kaiden Guhle (19:30). Yes, Savard maintained his role as a penalty-kill specialist during both contests, but that isn’t a skill set that the Canadiens want to take advantage of when the going gets tough.
Facing a team as deep as the Washington Capitals, Montreal doesn’t have the luxury of fielding players who can only be iced under a very specific set of circumstances. This isn’t exclusively a question of physicality or intimidation. It is all of those things, plus mobility, passing, and shooting.
Down 0-2 in the series, St-Louis needs to play the best, most versatile lineup available to him, and Savard right now is not part it. Sentimentality needs to be set aside if the goal is to extend Savard’s NHL career as long as possible.
