Savard has been absolutely atrocious this year, with his pairing alongside Guhle getting run roughshod by their opposition. Do not allow the media hype and constant refrain from the talking heads during the game sway your perception of the players involved. Expected goals-for percentages crater when he's on the ice, even considering zone starts and level of competition.
Blocked shots are, in sum, a negative statistic; the reason that Savard is forced to block shots. By every objective measure, and the eye test that seems him putting himself out of position, being slow on the play, and being unable to clear his zone, confirms that which he has always been on our team - a bottom pairing defenseman. Ironically, Guhle, the vastly superior player, is being tasked with carrying him, and thus he's been "cut off at the knees" because he's been hobbled having to drag Savard around with him almost every minute he's on the ice.
The kid is dying out there each night.
Now Harris and Savard weren't terrible in their stretch together last year, one of the few during which the vet wasn't overmatched; they may work again.
