Value of: David Savard at the deadline

[Jared Dunn]

If Montreal could get a 2nd without retention I'd do that in a heartbeat. Then just overpay the hell out of Brett Pesce, Matt Roy or Chris Tanev this summer on a 2 year deal to get a veteran for those minutes

 

[General Fanager]

Probably a 2nd at the most. Maybe a late 1st if The Habs take a cap dump back also....

 

[EK392000]

Just IMO - but there's only 1 Tanev. If you miss out on him, I think DS is a pretty good consoliation prize.

Perhaps, but he’ll always be viewed as the budget friendly alternative to Tanev, meaning he’ll cost less.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Perhaps, but he’ll always be viewed as the budget friendly alternative to Tanev, meaning he’ll cost less.

More, wont be available. Tanev is available because he's a pending UFA. Savard may not be available because he isn't UFA. If the market moves enough so that it makes sense for Montreal to trade him then they will, but I suspect your view of his value is not enough for Montreal to trade him in 2023/2024.

 

[Legend123]

Despite improved play of late, with his contract he must be worth something like negative two first rounders, and a team willing to deal with the cap complications of having him on LTIR for the last year or two of his deal (which would seem likely given recent injury-plagued seasons)

It was a joke lol

I said A 1st.

That's multiple 1sts right there.

Nice, can't wait to have 10 first round picks this draft. Must be exciting to hold more picks than roster slots !

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Perhaps, but he’ll always be viewed as the budget friendly alternative to Tanev, meaning he’ll cost less.

It's possible - we'll have to wait and see. IMO though, depending on the perceived strength/depth of the 2024 draft it's not impossible that DS returns a 1st round DP. D-men who are not as good as Savard (at least going from my memory - haven't seen him much this year) have gotten a 1st in the past.

 

[Jared Dunn]

It's possible - we'll have to wait and see. IMO though, depending on the perceived strength/depth of the 2024 draft it's not impossible that DS returns a 1st round DP. D-men who are not as good as Savard (at least going from my memory - haven't seen him much this year) have gotten a 1st in the past.

He's useful to Montreal because he and Matheson both basically act as a dam between Montreal's young D and the absolute river of shit they'd be in for facing team's top lines consistently, but if anyone is acquiring him to play in their top 4 regularly they are sorely mistaken as he's just not very good. Zadorov just went for a 3rd + 5th because no good teams could afford him at 3.75 - Savard makes 250K less and is a worse player, if Montreal gets a 1st for him someone has been swindled beyond belief and I will grit my teeth and suffer through Gustav Lindstrom NHL minutes for the cause

 

[Egresch]

He's useful to Montreal because he and Matheson both basically act as a dam between Montreal's young D and the absolute river of shit they'd be in for facing team's top lines consistently, but if anyone is acquiring him to play in their top 4 regularly they are sorely mistaken as he's just not very good. Zadorov just went for a 3rd + 5th because no good teams could afford him at 3.75 - Savard makes 250K less and is a worse player, if Montreal gets a 1st for him someone has been swindled beyond belief and I will grit my teeth and suffer through Gustav Lindstrom NHL minutes for the cause

I think Habs will aim to improve their quality the way they did in Kirby Dach trade. They basically traded away Romanov + 3rd + 4th.
So I can imagine something like Savard + 2x3rd for 1st, but in reality I agree with you that they will keep both him and Matheson as veteran (also French) presence.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

No idea what Savard is worth, but any proposals need to consider that Montreal has stacks of picks next two drafts including 4 seconds and 4 thirds, no cap issues, and no one in the immediate funnel to replace what Savard provides. Oh, and a stacked offensive talent rich LD prospect pool that will require shut down RD to pair. So if MTL is wanting to compete for a playoff spot as early as next year - and I think that is the plan - they need Savard as much as any team.

So while he may be only worth a 2nd and B prospect, give or take, he is almost for sure worth more to MTL. Been arguing this with Habs fans on our board - I think they will try and resign him before moving him for a meh return. The guy is 31, he eats minutes, takes all the tough assignments and has some underrated offensive chops including a great first pass. Has won a Cup. His relatively low offensive output is related to his usage - he starts in his own zone 70% of the time which is a bit nuts.

This is the correct take imo. We need some actual veterans to help build out the defense and remove a little pressure from the plethora of youth all trying to figure themselves out.

There's no harm putting Savard's name out there to see if a team gets desperate and overpays (Chariot, arguably Kulak) but if all we're getting back is a 3rd, I think he's better served as a veteran presence than yet another dart board pick.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I think Habs will aim to improve their quality the way they did in Kirby Dach trade. They basically traded away Romanov + 3rd + 4th.
So I can imagine something like Savard + 2x3rd for 1st, but in reality I agree with you that they will keep both him and Matheson as veteran (also French) presence.

I think he's almost definitely a goner this summer (most likely @50%) but I don't see Montreal opening up that hole before the season ends, I think they need a defensive minded vet on the right side next year as well but they can overpay a UFA on a short term basis. If Savard's role is to essentially soak up the toughest minutes then they should look for someone better to do that, he is not good enough to play 20+ minutes a game anymore. They're definitely getting to the point where they need to consolidate assets for higher end pieces if the opportunity presents itself, I think Savard @50% + 3rd could probably get them a late 1st this summer

 

[ManofSteel55]

Look at what the habs got for Kulak,
I think Savard as more value a bit also.

I don't know if he does. He has more pedigree in terms of winning, but Kulak also had playoff experience that boosted his value, plus has far better mobility, which is why the Oilers wanted him so badly to begin with. The Oilers also were hoping to re-sign Kulak - he was a long term target for them, and I don't think anyone is banging Savard's door down for a contract extension. This leads me to my last point - Kulak was still in his prime when he was traded. Savard is trending downwards, and while still effective, he's not the top 4 threat he once was.

I think Savard will have interest as a veteran bottom pair addition, but I don't think the teams who really want him will want to part with a ton to get him. A 3rd, maybe a middling prospect, and offsetting salary is likely the best the Habs will get.

All of that said, I'm not even sure if Montreal wants to move him, so if one team is desperate to get Savard, they could blow my valuation out of the water. It might be smarter for them to keep him as their veteran instead of adding more futures.

 

[pth2]

I think Savard will have interest as a veteran bottom pair addition, but I don't think the teams who really want him will want to part with a ton to get him. A 3rd, maybe a middling prospect, and offsetting salary is likely the best the Habs will get.

Didn't Tampa Bay pay a 1st, 3d and 4th to play him on the 3d pairing ? And didn't re-sign him ?

Besides, if all he'd return would be a 3d, middling prospect and the liability of an unwanted contract, I figure it's more likely Montreal keeps him another year, and trade him for the best offer at the 2025 deadline.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Didn't Tampa Bay pay a 1st, 3d and 4th to play him on the 3d pairing ? And didn't re-sign him ?

Besides, if all he'd return would be a 3d, middling prospect and the liability of an unwanted contract, I figure it's more likely Montreal keeps him another year, and trade him for the best offer at the 2025 deadline.

They paid a high price for him but he wasn't seen as a bottom pairing defender at the time. He has regressed since then.

I think many in here have already pointed out that keeping him might be smarter than adding to their already overflowing list of draft picks. Nobody is paying a 1st for him though.

 

[614 CBJ]

Jarmo would probably give up a first and prospect of your choice.

Make sure he runs the team all the way into the ground, not just a few feet

 

[ole ole]

Obviously worth a 1st just like Anderson

Anderson is worth a 1st and a good prospect.

 

[TS Quint]

No idea what Savard is worth, but any proposals need to consider that Montreal has stacks of picks next two drafts including 4 seconds and 4 thirds, no cap issues, and no one in the immediate funnel to replace what Savard provides. Oh, and a stacked offensive talent rich LD prospect pool that will require shut down RD to pair. So if MTL is wanting to compete for a playoff spot as early as next year - and I think that is the plan - they need Savard as much as any team.

So while he may be only worth a 2nd and B prospect, give or take, he is almost for sure worth more to MTL. Been arguing this with Habs fans on our board - I think they will try and resign him before moving him for a meh return. The guy is 31, he eats minutes, takes all the tough assignments and has some underrated offensive chops including a great first pass. Has won a Cup. His relatively low offensive output is related to his usage - he starts in his own zone 70% of the time which is a bit nuts.

You think the Habs are competing for a playoffs spot next year? have you lost it? They will be lucky to be just competing for a wild card 3 years from now. They need to replace half the roster just to be thinking about being competitive for a wild card spot.

 

[Michoulicious]

I don't know if he does. He has more pedigree in terms of winning, but Kulak also had playoff experience that boosted his value, plus has far better mobility, which is why the Oilers wanted him so badly to begin with. The Oilers also were hoping to re-sign Kulak - he was a long term target for them, and I don't think anyone is banging Savard's door down for a contract extension. This leads me to my last point - Kulak was still in his prime when he was traded. Savard is trending downwards, and while still effective, he's not the top 4 threat he once was.

I think Savard will have interest as a veteran bottom pair addition, but I don't think the teams who really want him will want to part with a ton to get him. A 3rd, maybe a middling prospect, and offsetting salary is likely the best the Habs will get.

All of that said, I'm not even sure if Montreal wants to move him, so if one team is desperate to get Savard, they could blow my valuation out of the water. It might be smarter for them to keep him as their veteran instead of adding more futures.

Savard is better now than Kulak ever was, but I agree he's older and on a downtrend.

Still is a better player for a playoff run.

 

[pth2]

Anderson is worth a 1st and a good prospect.

Come on man.
Anderson might have value this summer if he shows he is back at a 20+ goal pace in the meantime, but right now... his value is the lowest it's ever been.

 

[Conbon]

Habs might get first round value without getting a first round pick, such as happened with Lehkonen.

Monahan's value is going to be more dependent on the market than Savard; Savard might not be moved at all, Monahan will fetch whatever is offered, though if it's a 4th or less, I figure his mentorship is worth more, and if he's only worth that he's still resignable.

It's too far out now from the Habs fluke cup run so they're mediocre players aren't fetching the returns they used to get when they were still being overrated for "playoff performance"

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

It's too far out now from the Habs fluke cup run so they're mediocre players aren't fetching the returns they used to get when they were still being overrated for "playoff performance"

None of the players being rumoured to move were on the Habs during that run.

Savard was on Tampa that beat them.

Keeping swinging away, though.

 

[Petes2424]

I'm not sure MTL would want to trade him. He's very good vet presence and MTL is AHL thin on RD. Trading him create more problem then solution in the end. So a team interested would need to make KH a one of a kind offer.

100%. Especially when a player likes playing in a city, and accepts that role. They have some young blue liners coming, who are going to need to be protected. At least assuming they play in the NHL at a younger age.

The worst thing you can do, is have 2-4 young dmen thrown into the fire. They also don’t have those mid range guys who don’t already need protection, like Lindstrom for example. So if you get rid of the Savard types, and use a couple of plugs next year, they won’t be helping to protect anyone.

You can ruin young dmen doing this. Savard is worth more to Montreal, to stay and help protect kids.

 

[Conbon]

None of the players being rumoured to move were on the Habs during that run.

Savard was on Tampa that beat them.

Keeping swinging away, though.

Long list of overvalued Habs players from that run that returned too much and went back to trash players. Only Lehkonen was legit.

 

[mouser]

The extra year remaining on Savard’s contract is a major negative for this upcoming TDL. Most teams look for expiring contracts.

Could probably get a decent return with 50% retention. But does Montreal want to tie up their last retention slot for 2023-24 and two of their three slots for 2024-25?

 

[KevinRedkey]

Anderson is worth a 1st and a good prospect.

That has about as much chance at happening as you buying my left sock for $1000

 

[Djp]

Savard st 50% is not getting a 1st.