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A 14-year veteran blueliner decided to put an end to his NHL career on Wednesday night in the nation's capital.
With the Montreal Canadiens eliminated from the playoffs following a 4–1 loss to the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of their first-round series, defenseman David Savard's career is now officially over.
Following the game, the NHL posted a tribute to the veteran defenseman on X.
“After 870 NHL games, #StanleyCup champion David Savard is calling it a career. ”
The message was accompanied by a photo of Savard with the words, “Thank you. Wishing you all the best in retirement.”
Savard, 34, announced before the playoffs that this postseason would mark the end of his 14-season career.
“Around Christmastime, I kind of knew what my body felt like,” Savard said. “My body’s just kind of failing a little bit. By that time, just thinking about going through another summer, another season, you just don’t see yourself doing it.
”So I was just going to enjoy it and play as hard as I can.”
The veteran defenseman played 10 seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, and spent his final four years with Montreal.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) shoots the puck against the Washington Capitals.David Kirouac-Imagn Images
As the final horn sounded at Capital One Arena, Canadiens players lined up to hug Savard.
Savard wiped away tears as teammates embraced him one by one in a moment of respect as they paid homage to the 870-game veteran.
The blueliner split those 870 regular-season games into 597 with the Blue Jackets, 259 with the Canadiens, and 14 with the Lightning. He added 62 playoff contests to his overall tally.
Savard hangs the skates with 166 regular-season points (41 goals, 125 assists) to go with 37 postseason points, including one goal and ten assists.
Continue reading...
With the Montreal Canadiens eliminated from the playoffs following a 4–1 loss to the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of their first-round series, defenseman David Savard's career is now officially over.
Following the game, the NHL posted a tribute to the veteran defenseman on X.
“After 870 NHL games, #StanleyCup champion David Savard is calling it a career. ”
The message was accompanied by a photo of Savard with the words, “Thank you. Wishing you all the best in retirement.”
Savard, 34, announced before the playoffs that this postseason would mark the end of his 14-season career.
“Around Christmastime, I kind of knew what my body felt like,” Savard said. “My body’s just kind of failing a little bit. By that time, just thinking about going through another summer, another season, you just don’t see yourself doing it.
”So I was just going to enjoy it and play as hard as I can.”
The veteran defenseman played 10 seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, and spent his final four years with Montreal.
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Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) shoots the puck against the Washington Capitals.David Kirouac-Imagn Images
As the final horn sounded at Capital One Arena, Canadiens players lined up to hug Savard.
Savard wiped away tears as teammates embraced him one by one in a moment of respect as they paid homage to the 870-game veteran.
The blueliner split those 870 regular-season games into 597 with the Blue Jackets, 259 with the Canadiens, and 14 with the Lightning. He added 62 playoff contests to his overall tally.
Savard hangs the skates with 166 regular-season points (41 goals, 125 assists) to go with 37 postseason points, including one goal and ten assists.
Continue reading...
