Canadiens’ David Savard Announces Retirement Following Stanley Cup Playoffs
BROSSARD, Quebec — Montreal Canadiens defenseman david Savard announced Friday he will retire from the NHL after the Stanley Cup Playoffs, concluding his 14-season career.
Savard’s Decision: A Matter of Physical Toll
The 34-year-old defenseman revealed he made the decision around Christmas, acknowledging the physical toll of the game. “My body’s just kind of failing a little bit,” Savard stated, adding that the thought of another summer and season was unappealing. He chose to focus on enjoying his final games.
Playoff Berth Extends Savard’s Career
Savard’s career received an extension after the Canadiens clinched their first playoff berth since 2021, securing the second wild card from the Eastern Conference with a 4-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Leadership and Mentorship Role
“He’s really loved in the room and he’s been a big part of this rebuild,” canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said, highlighting Savard’s importance as a mentor. “He’s someone to look up to for a lot of guys, including myself. We’re playing for a lot and obviously we want to prolong his career.”
Stanley Cup Champion and Canadiens Stalwart
Savard, a Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, joined the Canadiens as a free agent prior to the 2021-22 season after a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he spent his first 10 seasons. His four-year contract with Montreal solidified his role in the team’s rebuild.
Guiding Young defensemen
Savard played a key role in mentoring young defensemen like Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle. hutson tied Larry Murphy’s NHL record for assists by a rookie defenseman with 60 this season. Guhle described Savard as “the team dad,” emphasizing his positive influence.
Coach’s Extension on the Ice
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis praised Savard’s leadership, stating, ”He actually is an extension of the coaching.” St. Louis emphasized Savard’s calming presence and ability to guide young players through the challenges of the NHL.
Excitement for Montreal’s Future
Savard expressed his excitement for the future of the Canadiens. “It was fun for me to be around those guys. they kind of keep you young a little bit and it was a lot of fun. I hope I’m leaving the place in a better place than when I first came in and I think the future is really shining hear.”
Career Statistics
Over his NHL career, Savard has recorded 242 points (54 goals, 188 assists) in 879 regular-season games and 16 points (one goal, 15 assists) in 57 playoff games.
playoff Series Against Washington Capitals
The Canadiens will face the Washington Capitals in the First Round, kicking off on Monday. Montreal’s regular-season record against Washington was 1-2-0. “They’re a team that can score a lot of goals, that doesn’t give anything to the other team,” Savard said, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
How did David Savard contribute to the Montreal Canadiens beyond his on-ice performance, and what specific examples illustrate this impact?
Canadiens’ David Savard Announces Retirement Following Stanley Cup Playoffs
BROSSARD, Quebec — montreal Canadiens defenseman david Savard announced Friday he will retire from the NHL after the Stanley Cup Playoffs, concluding his 14-season career.
Savard’s Decision: A Matter of Physical Toll
The 34-year-old defenseman revealed he made the decision around Christmas, acknowledging the physical toll of the game. “My body’s just kind of failing a little bit,” Savard stated, adding that the thoght of another summer and season was unappealing. He chose to focus on enjoying his final games.
Playoff Berth Extends Savard’s Career
Savard’s career received an extension after the Canadiens clinched their first playoff berth since 2021, securing the second wild card from the Eastern Conference with a 4-2 victory against the carolina Hurricanes.
leadership and Mentorship Role
“He’s really loved in the room and he’s been a big part of this rebuild,” canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said, highlighting Savard’s importance as a mentor. “He’s someone to look up to for a lot of guys, including myself. We’re playing for a lot and obviously we want to prolong his career.”
stanley Cup Champion and Canadiens Stalwart
savard, a Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, joined the Canadiens as a free agent prior to the 2021-22 season after a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he spent his first 10 seasons. His four-year contract with montreal solidified his role in the team’s rebuild.
Guiding Young defensemen
Savard played a key role in mentoring young defensemen like Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle. hutson tied Larry Murphy’s NHL record for assists by a rookie defenseman with 60 this season.Guhle described Savard as “the team dad,” emphasizing his positive influence.
Coach’s Extension on the Ice
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis praised Savard’s leadership, stating, ”He actually is an extension of the coaching.” St. Louis emphasized Savard’s calming presence and ability to guide young players through the challenges of the NHL.
Excitement for Montreal’s Future
Savard expressed his excitement for the future of the Canadiens. “It was fun for me to be around those guys. they kind of keep you young a little bit and it was a lot of fun. I hope I’m leaving the place in a better place than when I first came in and I think the future is really shining hear.”
Career Statistics
Over his NHL career, Savard has recorded 242 points (54 goals, 188 assists) in 879 regular-season games and 16 points (one goal, 15 assists) in 57 playoff games.
playoff Series Against Washington Capitals
The Canadiens will face the Washington Capitals in the First Round, kicking off on Monday.Montreal’s regular-season record against Washington was 1-2-0. “They’re a team that can score a lot of goals, that doesn’t give anything to the other team,” Savard said, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
David Savard’s Retirement: Q&A
Why is David Savard retiring?
Savard, at 34, is retiring due to the physical demands of the NHL. He mentioned his body “failing a little bit” and the thought of another season being unappealing.
What’s Savard’s legacy with the Canadiens?
Savard is seen as a key leader and mentor. He played a crucial role in the team’s rebuild and was highly respected in the locker room.He also helped mentor younger players like Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle. Fun fact: Hutson’s assist record tied a long-standing NHL record!
When did Savard win the Stanley Cup?
Savard won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, showcasing his championship pedigree. He joined the Canadiens shortly after as a free agent.
What are Savard’s career stats?
Over his NHL career, savard recorded 242 points (54 goals, 188 assists) in 879 regular-season games and 16 points (1 goal, 15 assists) in 57 playoff games. He was known for his solid defensive play.
What’s next for Savard?
While his future plans are not specified in the article,he expressed excitement for the Canadiens’ future,suggesting he’ll remain a fan and likely follow their progress.
How did the Canadiens perform against the Capitals in the regular season?
The Canadiens had a 1-2-0 record against the Washington Capitals during the regular season. Savard acknowledged the Capitals’ scoring ability, indicating a challenging playoff series.
As David Savard prepares for his final playoff run, his impact on the Canadiens’ rebuild and his influence on young players will be remembered. Let’s cheer him on as he aims to finish his career strong!
