After four seasons of unwavering dedication, David Savard’s journey with the Montreal Canadiens has reached a poignant crossroads.

As a respected veteran, Savard has weathered countless storms, witnessed dramatic changes within the organization, and played alongside a revolving cast of teammates.

Now, with his retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of grit, leadership, and integrity. But before stepping away from the ice, Savard made headlines with his candid remarks about the team’s newest acquisition, Noah Dobson—a move that could reshape the Canadiens’ defensive future.

In this article, we delve into Savard’s reflections on his career, the challenges he faced after joining Montreal fresh off a Stanley Cup win, and his honest assessment of Dobson’s potential impact.

What did Savard really think about the arrival of this young defenseman? How does he view his own legacy, and what does his departure mean for the Canadiens going forward?

With emotions running high and big changes on the horizon, Savard’s story is far from ordinary. Discover the untold moments, heartfelt confessions, and the future of Montreal’s blue line—all through the eyes of a player who gave everything to the game.

David Savard (left) Noah Dobson (right)

Photo credit: All Habs

David Savard has been an important veteran for the Montreal Canadiens over the past four seasons.

Recently, the number 58 did not hesitate to comment on the arrival of Noah Dobson to the team.

On July 28, 2021, David Savard accepted an offer from Marc Bergevin on the free agent market after having defeated the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final a few weeks earlier while playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Born in Saint-Hyacinthe, he joined a team that was about to go through extremely difficult times, notably showing the door to Bergevin, but also to head coach Dominique Ducharme.

David Savard weathered storms with the Canadiens and saw many veterans come and go from the team, including Mike Hoffman, Artturi Lehkonen, Jeff Petry, Tyler Toffoli, Ben Chiarot, Jake Allen, Jonathan Drouin, Andrew Hammond, Joel Edmundson, Tanner Pearson, Paul Byron, Evgenii Dadonov, and Sean Monahan.

The defenseman played 259 games with the Canadiens and a total of 870 in his career. At 6’1″ and 235 lbs, he has 54 goals and 242 points. In addition to his 2021 Stanley Cup victory with Tampa Bay, he also won the President’s Cup in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats in 2010.

David Savard believes Noah Dobson’s arrival will greatly improve the Montreal Canadiens’ defense

While some veterans can be quiet when it comes to praising younger players, that is certainly not the case for David Savard. The newly retired player did not hesitate to compliment Noah Dobson, who was recently acquired by Kent Hughes in a trade with the New York Islanders last June.

“Noah Dobson is going to be a big upgrade for the team!”

Savard admits he already misses hockey but acknowledges his body simply could no longer keep up.

“I’m already missing going to the arena and training with the guys”

One thing is certain: he can retire with his head held high and is greatly appreciated by Canadiens fans. A player who gave his all, and a kind human being with a lot of class. Happy retirement, David!