The winds of change are sweeping through Montreal as the Canadiens prepare to enter a new era on their blue line. With the recent retirement of veteran defenseman David Savard, the organization faces a pivotal moment—one that will undoubtedly shape the team’s defensive identity for years to come. As the Bell Centre faithful bid farewell to a steady and reliable presence on the back end, the spotlight now shifts to the next generation of blueliners hungry to make their mark at the NHL level.

Within the walls of management, discussions are already underway as Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton evaluate their options for the future. The pressure is on to find the right successor, someone who can step in and fill the void left by Savard’s departure, both on and off the ice. The stakes are high, and the search for Montreal’s next defensive cornerstone is officially underway.

As the Laval Rocket embark on their AHL playoff run, all eyes will be on the organization’s top young prospects. The coming weeks promise to be a critical audition—one that could determine who earns the opportunity to wear the Canadiens sweater and patrol the blue line in the seasons ahead.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

As you know, defenseman David Savard has played his final game with the Montreal Canadiens, as well as his final game in the National Hockey League.

He has retired.

The Canadiens must now already begin thinking about replacing him on defense, and in doing so, two names have already been identified.

These are two players who have already been internally named as possible replacements for Savard as early as next season.

David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux will be closely watched by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton during the Laval Rocket’s playoff run

This is interesting!

The two Canadiens executives explicitly mentioned, just moments ago, that they will be evaluating, during the Rocket’s playoff games, to what extent David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux are ready for the NHL.

They are already looking for Savard’s replacement.

“Canadiens are hoping the Laval Rocket go on a long playoff run in the AHL to further evaluate how NHL-ready David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux.

Potential that they could take Savard’s place on the bottom pair.”

– Marco D’Amico

I love it!

Personally, I believe young Reinbacher could be ready to take over the role left vacant by David Savard on defense, especially after a good summer of conditioning.

We’re already seeing it with the Rocket, this kid is rock solid!

Logan Mailloux could still surprise me, but I don’t quite see him in a shutdown role or one similar to the role David Savard played.

It will be a storyline to watch throughout the Laval Rocket’s playoff run.

Know this: Reinbacher and Mailloux will be under close scrutiny by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, and the audition to make the Montreal Canadiens’ 2025-26 roster has already begun for these two young men.