The Canadian | The enthusiasm of David Savard, the example of Juraj Slafkovský

(Quebec) There were few indications last fall that Juraj Slafkovský would finish the 2023-2024 campaign with 20 goals and 50 points.

In his first NHL season, at 18, the young man seemed clumsy on the ice, almost overwhelmed by the action around him. At the start of the next one, things weren’t much better, to the point where many wondered why the organization didn’t give him up to the American League. Then came the turning point that we know, which saw him become a staple of the Montreal attack, even a powerhouse on the ice at times.

It is this progression that David Savard is clinging to to justify his optimism regarding his team, a few weeks before training camp for the 2024-2025 campaign.

With the roster essentially the same as last year, the “organic growth” management wants will have to work for the club to climb the standings, especially in a division as tough as the Atlantic.

Savard, however, is categorical. “We’re at the stage where we want to compete: we want to be in the playoffs,” he said Wednesday evening, on the sidelines of the Sunlife ProAm, a charity event held at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.

“That will be our goal from day 1 of camp,” he insisted. “And we will work towards that goal.”

“Yes, our division is tough, but I think we’re capable of moving on to the next step,” the defender continued. “We’ve seen what one year can do with Slaf, the difference between his first and second year. If guys continue to progress like that, I think we’ll be competitive.”

“The guys” Savard is talking about, we’re starting to get to know them. There’s of course Slafkovský, who is far from a finished product. But also Kirby Dach, who hopes to finally play a full season in the bleu-blanc-rouge uniform. Alex Newhook, who will also want to stay healthy, after having seemed to establish himself as a center. Kaiden Guhle, who should start the schedule on the first pairing in defense. Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj and Justin Barron who will try to solidify their place. Even Joshua Roy, Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux, who will work hard to play in Montreal rather than in Laval.

Already, last season, “we were a lot more in the matches” than the previous one, recalled David Savard, citing in particular the numerous defeats suffered by one goal – 27, a high in the league.

“We didn’t get demoted like the year before,” he said. “It happened less and less, in fact most of the time, we were there until the end.”

It could be added that the goal differential has narrowed, going from -78 to -49, essentially thanks to the brilliance of the goalkeepers. Savard hopes to see his club “continue on this path.”

“If we can get a few more wins, maybe the story is different, the mindset is different. I’m really confident that we’ll be able to do something that’s going to be the fun. »

Like reaching the series, for example.

Future

Let’s go for David Savard’s enthusiasm and expectations. What is less obvious is the place that the same Savard will play in the future of the CH.

The Quebecer is entering the final year of the contract he signed in the summer of 2021. At the trade deadline last March, his name had been widely circulated in trade rumors. He ultimately remained a member of the Habs and breathed a sigh of relief, since that’s what he wanted – and still wants.

If his aspirations materialize and the Canadiens are in the thick of the playoff race next March, the defenseman won’t have to worry about being traded. If, however, the Flannel were already dumped, his general manager could be tempted to cash in on the services of a veteran of his reputation, a Stanley Cup winner to boot.

As in the past, Savard greeted the subject with detachment. “I understand the situation of the organization,” he said. “There will be rumors, I will have to deal with that. It’s part of reality, it’s a possibility. [d’être échangé] each day ! “

“I have my experience,” he argued. “I try to help young people progress as much as possible, so when they [les dirigeants de l’organisation] “They’re going to let me go, if they let me go, I hope to leave the team in a better situation than when I arrived. If I’m able to stay until the end of the year, we’ll see what’s available to me after that.”

Savard, however, expects the competition to be fierce at camp, with, at the risk of repeating himself, all these young defenders who will want to show their know-how. “I think that’s part of a healthy organization,” he said. “It will be up to them to prove that they are capable of staying at the top.”

A philosopher, the soon-to-be 34-year-old smiled as he spoke of “the joy of growing old” and seeing players in their early twenties fighting for the same position as him.

“We’ve all done it to someone else before,” he said. “Our goal is to stay as long as possible. If we can do that, we’re happy, but we all know that one day, they’re going to push us out of the league. That’s the game ! »

That day will probably come. But probably not next October.