February 6, 2024 | 10:35pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

HABS LISTENING ON, NOT SHOPPING, SAVARD

David Savard, defenceman

With the NHL’s trade deadline just over a month away, the Montreal Canadiens will continue to generate interest in a number of their players.

As previously reported by TFP’s David Pagnotta, Habs defenceman David Savard has generated interest from multiple clubs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning, and while it appears the Canadiens are willing to take calls on the veteran blueliner, they are not actively shopping him.

During Tuesday’s “Insider Trading” segment on TSN, Pierre LeBrun reported the Canadiens are taking calls on Savard, but unless they get an offer that blows them out of the water, they are intent on keeping him.

“The reality is: I don’t believe the Montreal Canadiens want to trade David Savard. I think they value him for all kinds of reasons within the organization,” LeBrun said. “But they are a retooling team and they’re on listening-mode on a lot of players. So, if someone really sends them an offer that makes them really think, then yeah, he could be dealt. But, at the moment, he’s not a player that the Habs bring up on their own to other teams. They're not committed to trading him.”

Savard, 33, is in the third year of a four-year, $14 million contract and comes with a $3.5 million salary cap hit. He is earning $4.2 million in salary this season and will make $2.8 million next season, $500,000 of which is paid out as part of a bonus.

Several contending teams are looking to bolster their blueline, beyond Toronto and Tampa, including the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Stars.