David Savard was there, with his shaggy beard, on the Bell Center ice rink Saturday morning. He will also be there in the evening for a never boring duel against the Toronto Maple Leafs. And that’s exactly where he wanted to spend his Saturday night, even if it means playing for a team that’s fallen out of playoff contention.
“I’m really happy to be in Montreal again, to be close to my family, for the end of the season,” said the veteran defender after the morning training.
Savard is not an idiot. At 11e season in the National League, he knows well the extent of possibilities at the trade deadline, especially within a selling club. He also experienced it for the first time in the spring of 2021 when he moved from Columbus to Tampa Bay.
His Friday, he did not spend it in front of the television watching sports channels, but rather with his family, to “reconnect with the children” after a week spent on the road. “I kept my phone on sound just in case, but otherwise it was a normal day,” he said.
Normal, until said phone rings around 3 p.m. “I made the jump!” “, he admitted. It was ultimately his father, Gervais, who wanted to ensure that his son stayed in Montreal. “He didn’t expect it to be so serious, but I thought of something else! », recounted the Maskoutain, still amused, 20 hours later.
Savard, the new dean of the team with the departure of Jake Allen, was not the only one who was happy to stay in town. Her coach was also perky.
A presence like Savvy helps our young people, it calms our group. These players don’t grow on trees. There are fewer and fewer of them in a young league.
Martin St-Louis, head coach of the Canadiens, on David Savard
If it’s up to Savard, St-Louis will be able to count on his presence for at least another year. “I want to stay here until the end of my contract,” assured the player. My goal is to build something with this group. We’re still young, but we’re heading in the right direction and I want to be part of it. I know that we have young people who are growing, but then, it could be an old person or a young person who leaves. »
A void in the locker room
The problem is that it’s not just the player, and Kent Hughes has to manage his team. He proved it by trading Sean Monahan last month, then Jake Allen on Friday, although in Allen’s case, it was also an opportunity to put an end to the trio, a format more appreciated by Valentine than in front of the net.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jake Allen was traded to the New Jersey Devils on Friday for a draft pick.
With the departure of Allen, St-Louis is delighted that Cayden Primeau can “find his rhythm”. Except that on the other hand, his locker room loses a good veteran, particularly good for Samuel Montembeault.
“I wasn’t around Sam and Jake when they talked, but they had a good relationship as caretakers who helped each other. Often, with a young person and an old person, the older person will help the younger person. I don’t know exactly how they did it, but you could see the relationship. In goalkeeper training, it was talked about. He set an example for Sam, how to establish himself, how to prepare. This communication is not always verbal, it is hard to measure, but it is important. »
Status quo
So the Allen trade means it’s the status quo among skaters. Tanner Pearson, a veteran at the end of his contract, ultimately did not find a buyer. A playoff run would certainly have helped him boost his value for summer negotiations, but at $3.25 million, his salary was difficult to pass on.
“Everyone wants playoff players, so that would have helped me,” he admitted. But what’s left, 19 games? I have to prove my worth this way. »
The departure of Pearson or another striker would have further ensured that Joshua Roy would finish the season in the big league. But for now, he remains in Montreal, where he seems more and more comfortable with two goals in his last two games.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Joshua Roy
The Canadian currently has 13 healthy forwards, and will have 14 when Colin White returns to the game, if his absence is short-lived. At this point, Roy could give a boost to the Rocket, who are trying to qualify for the American League playoffs.
“I can’t be selfish and say that I would like to keep Roy here, without thinking about Laval. You have to find a balance. But the decision [de le garder] would be easier to take if Laval was guaranteed to participate in the playoffs,” agreed St-Louis.
In short
Samuel Montembeault will defend the Canadian’s net. Up front, Michael Pezzetta will return to the Canadian’s lineup, in place of Jesse Ylönen. In defense, everything indicates that the squad will remain unchanged and that Johnathan Kovacevic will be left aside.