While speaking to reporters, including Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman David Savard confirmed that he will be retiring from professional hockey following the Montreal Canadiens' playoff run.
Savard, 34, appeared in 75 regular-season games this season with the Canadiens, where he had one goal, 14 assists, 15 points, 180 blocks, and a minus-8 rating. Now, the 6-foot-1 defenseman will look to end his career on a high note with a strong post-season from here.
Savard spent the final portion of the 2020-21 season as a member of the Lightning. The Bolts acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2021 NHL trade deadline to help strengthen their blueline for the playoffs that year. In 14 regular-season games with the Bolts following the move, he posted zero points, 37 hits, and a minus-8 rating. During the playoffs with the Bolts, he recorded five assists in 20 games and lifted the Stanley Cup.
During the 2021 NHL off-season, Savard left the Lightning and signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Canadiens, which he is in the final season of.
In 870 career NHL games over 14 seasons split between the Blue Jackets, Lightning, and Canadiens, Savard had 54 goals, 188 assists, 242 points, 1,474 hits, and 1,624 blocks. Overall, Savard had himself a strong career as a shutdown defenseman.
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