Montreal Canadiens defenceman David Savard to retire after playoffs

Montreal Canadiens defenceman David Savard stretches out before an NHL hockey game. The 34-year-old said he will retire after the Habs playoff run. (Rick Egan / The Associated Press) (Rick Egan/AP)

While the Montreal Canadiens’ young pups get ready to bark in the first playoff series of their careers, one long-serving elder dog will play his final games.

Defenceman David Savard told reporters on Friday that this year’s playoff run will be his last as an NHL player.

The 34-year-old is in the final year of his contract and told media in the locker room after Friday’s optional skate that he will retire after the Habs’ playoff run ends.

The Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.-native was joined by his three children and wife on the team bench during the warm-up skate at the Bell Centre before Wednesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Montreal ensured it would not be Savard’s last game by beating Carolina and punching a ticket for the postseason, which starts Monday against the Washington Capitals.

Savard made his NHL debut for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2012-13 season and played 10 seasons with the team.

He was traded to and won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, defeating the Canadiens.

He joined the defeated Habs the next year as a free agent, and has scored 13 goals for the bleu-blanc-rouge and added 63 assists.

Mostly known for his defensive contributions, Savard played 870 regular-season games in the NHL. While he amassed 242 points, including 188 assists, he blocked a total of 1,624 shots.

With files from RDS.