Why did Serge Savard agree to trade Chris Chelios for Denis Savard?

[The Panther]

I've never really understood this trade.

Here, Mike Keenan explains how he orchestrated the Savard (plus 'bogus' 2nd-round pick, which wasn't supposed to be kept by Chicago but was) for Chris Chelios trade, in summer 1990:


I mean, I get the whole "Montreal needed some more offense" line, but the previous two seasons they'd been 12th (1990) and 5th (1989) overall in offense, so since they were a defense-first team anyway so that's not bad. And Chelios missing 30 games in 1989-90 had probably dented their power-play somewhat, or they would have been higher that season. The previous summer they'd lost Larry Robinson to L.A., from free agency, but that was probably okay as Robinson's best days were well behind him. But Chelios was 28 years old and had only six NHL seasons of wear and tear on him. He'd been Montreal's best defenceman in two trips to the Finals (incl. a Cup), and in his previous full season (1988-89) had won the Norris.

Savard had been in the NHL for ten years and, though extremely talented and still prolific at scoring, was kind of fading from the conversation of the top forwards in the game. I mean, I think by 1990 he was no longer a top-10 forward in the NHL by popular consensus. So, why trade him for a Norris favorite, who was (a bit) younger? More importantly, Savard had never shown the ability to elevate a team in the standings, which Chelios certainly had.

In short, what was Serge Savard thinking?

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[JackSlater]

I imagine that Chelios' off ice antics were a sizable part of it. Chelios being arrested the day before likely isn't the cause, but it is probably indicative of some of Montreal's thought process.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

He was thinking, "French Canadian star".

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I've never really understood this trade.

Here, Mike Keenan explains how he orchestrated the Savard (plus 'bogus' 2nd-round pick, which wasn't supposed to be kept by Chicago but was) for Chris Chelios trade, in summer 1990:


I mean, I get the whole "Montreal needed some more offense" line, but the previous two seasons they'd been 12th (1990) and 5th (1989) overall in offense, so since they were a defense-first team anyway so that's not bad. And Chelios missing 30 games in 1989-90 had probably dented their power-play somewhat, or they would have been higher that season. The previous summer they'd lost Larry Robinson to L.A., from free agency, but that was probably okay as Robinson's best days were well behind him. But Chelios was 28 years old and had only six NHL seasons of wear and tear on him. He'd been Montreal's best defenceman in two trips to the Finals (incl. a Cup), and in his previous full season (1988-89) had won the Norris.

Savard had been in the NHL for ten years and, though extremely talented and still prolific at scoring, was kind of fading from the conversation of the top forwards in the game. I mean, I think by 1990 he was no longer a top-10 forward in the NHL by popular consensus. So, why trade him for a Norris favorite, who was (a bit) younger? More importantly, Savard had never shown the ability to elevate a team in the standings, which Chelios certainly had.

In short, what was Serge Savard thinking?

Get back the French guy that got away?

At that time being a Montreal Canadiens player was still seen as somewhat of an honor. Perhaps Chelios' abrasive personality and excessively dirty playing style helped Savard make his decision. Also, Montreal had two other young right-shot defensemen coming up in Patrice Brisbois and Eric Desjardins.

 

[FerrisRox]

Chelios was also coming off a knee injury and slated to have a surgery that summer that made Serge Savard question the milage Chelios had.

 

[JianYang]

Yeah, I think all the factors have pretty much been listed already.

- lack of French Canadian star on the habs

- Chelios off ice antics. Actually, I believe at the time of trade that Chelios just had some altercation the day before. I'm not sure if serge knew about that one but chelly thought he was in trouble again, but he just called to let him know he's been traded.

- Chelios had knee issues, and I've heard that the habs staff thought he didn't have as much mileage left as you would expect. If that's true, boy were they ever wrong.

Back to the point about Chelios and his immaturity at the time. The habs made him co-captain that season before he left. I guess this would have been after gainey retired, and Robinson went to LA. Chelios recently said that he wasn't ready for it, and that probably goes back to his off ice behaviour.

You don't see someone being appointed captain or co captain, and then being traded soon after. He went from being in the habs long terms plans to being shipped out completely in very short order.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

Why did Montreal Trade Chelios?

 

[Rass]

Chelios was also coming off a knee injury and slated to have a surgery that summer that made Serge Savard question the milage Chelios had.

This. Serge Savard confirmed it many times in various medias. The medical staff all but confirmed him that Chelios's career was basically over due to this knee injury. This didn't aged well to say the least...

 

[Moose Head]

This. Serge Savard confirmed it many times in various medias. The medical staff all but confirmed him that Chelios's career was basically over due to this knee injury. This didn't aged well to say the least...

I’ve heard that too. Habs doctors thought his knees had 5 years left, lol.

 

[Gambitman]

Thanks for posting. Mike seems so normal lol. One thing I have zero recollection of is Hasek clearing waivers. Imagine the difference he makes on any teams 90’s history.

 

[sr edler]

So the trade happened because Mike was phone stalking Serge Savard every morning 8 a clock for a week on his vacation? If they had smart phones back then he could just have put him on ignore....

 

[JianYang]

Thanks for posting. Mike seems so normal lol. One thing I have zero recollection of is Hasek clearing waivers. Imagine the difference he makes on any teams 90’s history.

It's hard to believe that hasek and Belfour, two of the greats in that era, were teammates at one point.

I know hasek was not a brand name yet, and his style probably looked too alien for him to take time away from the eagle, but in retrospect, that might be the best looking tandem on paper of all time.

 

[Boxscore]

Great stuff! I've been watching those Keenan podcasts for a couple weeks--awesome!

 

[Moose Head]

It's hard to believe that hasek and Belfour, two of the greats in that era, were teammates at one point.

I know hasek was not a brand name yet, and his style probably looked too alien for him to take time away from the eagle, but in retrospect, that might be the best looking tandem on paper of all time.

I’d take Hall/Plante on the late 60’s blues.

 

[Voight]

Making up for past mistakes, and giving in to fan pressure to have a French-Canadian star, even thought it was clear Savard's best years were behind him.

Not sure the Canadien faithful would love the idea of an American being their best player (or second best after Roy) and possibly their captain (yes Gionta + MaxPac were both American captains, but people were still more old school back then)