With just two days left until the NHL Trade Deadline, it was reported during this past weekend which positions the Edmonton Oilers will officially go after. They are a top-six right winger, a depth defenseman(or defensive upgrade, depending on available targets and asking prices), and a depth centerman. One defenseman who has had his name tied to trade discussions is David Savard from the Montreal Canadiens.
Through 40 games in his 13th NHL season, the 33-year-old has 15 points. But his actual bread and butter is the non-point aspects, even though he scored a funny goal last night. He has made 51 hits and blocked 109 shots. Throughout his whole career, those totals add up to 1400 hits and 1390 blocked shots. He’s a former Stanley Cup champion, winning in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Three years ago is a long time for hockey players, especially at his age. Whether or not Father Time has caught up to him might be a concern. But a lot of players might have their stats/analytics lessened by playing on a bottom 5-10 team for three years.
When NHL insider Chris Johnston was a guest on the Steve Dangle Podcast, he listed Savard as an option for the Toronto Maple Leafs and referred to him as Chris Tanev-esque. Of course, I’m not here to talk about the Leafs, but that is still a pretty accurate comparison. The only difference is that Savard is way more physical. Before Tanev was eventually traded to the Dallas Stars, Edmonton reportedly offered Calgary a first-round pick and Cody Ceci. It was better than what the Stars offered, but Flames GM Craig Conroy turned it down, presumably because he didn’t want to help his provincial rival win a Stanley Cup.
It has also been reported that Savard doesn’t really want to leave Montreal this year, and Habs GM Kent Hughes would want a fairly significant return. Probably about the same as Edmonton’s Tanev offer. Do I think trading for this defenseman would be as impactful as the Mattias Ekholm trade? Not 100%. Is he Evan Bouchard? Good Lord almighty, no. But can he still help a team in the Playoffs? Perhaps.
He has been a serviceable mentor for Montreal’s young group of defensemen. Having that leadership role might have it’s advantages when/if he comes into a new locker room with higher expectations. Like some of the other trade targets I’ve written about, he would bring good Playoff experience to the roster. Oilers fans don’t like the idea of moving out a first-rounder for him. Some fans of any team wouldn’t have minded moving it for Tanev, the biggest defenseman target, and he’s a similar player just being a year older.
With all of that said, I mentioned at the very beginning of this article that the Oilers want more of a depth defenseman. Savard isn’t paid $3.5M to be a depth defenseman. Unlike Tanev, he would have just one season left on his current contract after this one. I consider that sort of player a borderline rental. Ceci would obviously be the player going the other way in the deal. Savard would either be a better partner for Darnell Nurse, or he plays on third pairing with Brett Kulak, and Vincent Desharnais eventually builds more solid chemistry with Nurse on the second pairing. If the Oilers were really willing to part with that first-rounder for Savard, they’d better win the Cup this year or next year. If they don’t, the trade wouldn’t look very good long term. A lot can change in a week, but if he’d still rather stay where he is, don’t let your anxiety over this article ruin the next couple of days for you.
Would you want David Savard? Would you not? Let me know.
ITR 36: Coaching Carousel – Inside The Rink
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