It's been hard to understand the hate forming for David Savard among Montreal Canadiens fans. He isn't as good as he used to be, but his game still has some effective parts. Many have questioned why he remains in the team's lineup, but a recent announcement likely put it into perspective. Savard told reporters on Friday that this season will be the last of his career, as he goes out on top with a playoff run for his home province.
David Savard announces he will retire at the end of the Canadiens' playoff run pic.twitter.com/Unj6Axf8cc
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2025
It'd be hard for Martin St. Louis as a former player to take Savard out of the lineup. He likely told his teammates about his situation, and he is well-respected in the locker room. If they need any extra motivation during this postseason run, they'll just have to look across the room and see one of their favorite teammates trying to hold on to his career for a little bit longer. If Montreal does make a run this postseason, it's likely that Savard will be the one they rally around.
David Savard's successful career
There is something special about David Savard ending his career in the same province where it all began. Savard grew up playing minor hockey in Quebec and started his QMJHL career with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. After half a season, the Drakkar traded Savard to the Moncton Wildcats, where he became a cornerstone of their franchise. In his final year with the Wildcats, he recorded 77 points in 64 games and won the QMJHL Championship. The CHL also voted him the league's best defenseman.
Savard played the following season in the American Hockey League for the Springfield Falcons, but would get call ups to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the next two. Finally, in 2013, he went to Columbus and never looked back. Savard had a successful 10 year career with Columbus, but they traded him to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2021 trade deadline. The Canadiens and their fans know the rest of the story well, as Savard went on to win the Stanley Cup after beating Montreal in the finals.
The loss was all forgotten once the Quebec-born defenseman signed with the Canadiens that offseason. Savard didn't expect the team would be entering a rebuild so soon, but he stayed loyal to the Canadiens and brought the best of his abilities every night. It has been a season where he is slowing down in 2024-25, but the perfect cap to his hockey career is getting to play some meaningful playoff games at the Bell Centre.
If the Canadiens players are going to make a run for anyone, it should be Savard.