The Montreal Canadiens organization reportedly plans to part ways with a fan-favorite defenseman.
Earlier in December, the Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes made an important acquisition on the trade market. In a deal with the Nashville Predators, the Habs got the defenseman Alexandre Carrier, in return for Justin Barron.
With Carrier's addition to the lineup, the team is in a much better situation at the blue line.
The veteran brings a lot of steadiness and energy to the defensive unit, which could open a few more doors for the Habs.
According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Carrier's arrival in Montreal could directly lead to David Savard's departure from the team.
While he's been a very reliable player in the past years, Carrier could fill that role, and Savard could be dealt to another team for the right return.
LeBrun stated that with Savard's pending unrestricted free agent status, he could be traded to another team before the deadline on March 7th.
Here's what the insider said on TSN:
'It's not hard to draw a straight line between the arrival of Carrier and the eventual departure of David Savard, quality veteran for the Habs the last few years,' LeBrun said (via TSN)'He's a pending UFA, David Savard. There have not been any talks at all between Habs management and Savard's camp about a potential one-year extension.'
There's no doubt that Savard could play a valuable role with a team aspiring to a deep playoff run. He is a very good leader and does everything well on the ice. He notably won a Stanley Cup in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
To acquire him, a team would likely need to send at least a first-round pick or a great prospect.
The coming weeks are poised to be very interesting for the Montreal Canadiens.
