David Savard takes charge of Habs’ defense with the youngsters

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David Savard takes charge of Habs’ defense with the youngsters
David Savard arrived in Montreal in 2021-22, just after winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
It was a major experience in the career of the young man from Quebec City. He was in a chair that suited him very well.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Acquired in a late-season trade from Columbus, Savard was the fifth or sixth defenseman with the Lightning.

  David Savard, the veteran Quebecer with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the veteran Quebecer with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
We have to admit that the Bolts were not wrong!

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
David Savard's role has changed in the last few months since he joined the Habs.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
In his first season in Montreal, hopes were high. The Canadiens held him in high regard.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
He was given a four-year, $14 million contract.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
In 2021-22, the Canadiens as a team had high hopes, buoyed by their appearance in the Stanley Cup Final against the Lightning in 2020-21.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
But things went very wrong, culminating in a complete change of guard in the Montreal field hockey staff.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
And a season of misery leads to many changes.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Due to the rebuild, several players left this season. As a result, Savard now finds himself at the forefront.

  David Savard, the veteran Quebecer with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the veteran Quebecer with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
And he can take it! With Tampa and Columbus, David Savard has gained some impressive experience.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
With the Blue Jackets, he was one of the iron men. This included two full 82-game seasons, and one 81-game season.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
With Tampa, the 20 playoff games in 2021 and the Stanley Cup Final were also important in his development as a player.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Important because the Quebec defenseman has two more seasons left on his contract.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Over the course of two seasons, he'll have to be the big brother of a defensive brigade that has little experience.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Gradually, people will want him to take up less space. Let the youngsters flourish.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
But that day hasn't come yet, and the Habs have 82 games to play this season, just like everyone else. Might as well feature some experienced players with the youth group!

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Savard will probably be able to say one day that he rubbed shoulders with and trained a star like Kaiden Guhle.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
That he was part of an outstanding group also led by Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.

  David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence

David Savard, the Quebec veteran with a reassuring presence
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
David Savard, if he is no longer in Montreal when that day comes, will be able to boast that he was one of the architects of the Habs rebuild!

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