If the Montreal Canadiens want to keep their defence developing on the up and up, then keeping a veteran or two on the blueline might be a safe bet.
Sure, there is such a thing as keeping a guy around for too long; limiting the chances for a young guy to earn a spot. But there is such a thing as trading a player away before his replacement is ready, which could be perceived as more of a detriment to the team than anything. David Savard has been a player who draws tons of interest from opposing teams, because of what he brings to the table.
Savard doesn't wow you with his skating or a big shot, but he is a calming presence that makes efficient plays. He won't harm the team and every once in a while he channels his inner Bobby Orr; but only if the timing is right. Because he is such a responsible player, he is trusted by his coaches and leaned on to help the young guys acclimate to the league,
Savard-Lane Hutson - a pair in the making?
There are a few reasons why the idea of pairing Savard with Lane Hutson makes so much sense. First of all - Savard is a right shot and Hutson a left shot, which means both players stay on their strong side. But perhaps the most important is that Savard has been tasked with mentoring young defenders in the past, which has worked quite well.
What Hutson does best, is create with the puck on his stick and make his opponent's miss. The risk with this is that his defence partner, if not more defensively inclined could be put in a bad situation. Of course, Hutson is aware that he has to defend, but so long as Savard is on the ice, he will take a backseat to let Hutson do what he does best.
Savard will also be able to serve as an on-ice coach, correcting and communicating with his young partner. Hutson will only play if he proves that he is ready, but at the same time, having somebody to teach him and help him correct mistakes will be a huge advantage. All while encouraging him to take chances and not be afraid to make mistakes.