NHL insider David Pagnotta seals $14,000,000 Montreal Canadiens veteran's fate as trade piece despite Habs being in playoffs race

David Savard’s future with the Montreal Canadiens remains unclear according to NHL insider David Pagnotta. The Canadiens have performed well recently and improved their record to 20-18-4. They need only three points for an Atlantic Division wild-card birth. They have a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games and are hopeful for a playoff push.

However, despite Montreal's surge in performance, Savard might get dealt before the trade deadline on March 7. He returned from a four-game absence due to an upper-body injury during the 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

In 36 games, Savard has one goal and nine assists with a plus-minus rating of +1. His underperformance and $3.5 million cap hit have led to trade rumors linking him to teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. Both teams are seeking experienced defensemen before the trade deadline.

Pagnotta discussed Savard’s trade possibilities on Sunday. He said Savard could be moved even if the Canadiens stay in the playoff race. Montreal could retain part of his cap hit to make him more attractive to other teams.

"They want to see where that goes," Savard said (0:54), via 'The Fourth Period.' "I think even if this team remains in the playoff race, I think he's going to be somebody who will remain in play ahead of the trade deadline, so we could see him shifting out,

Pagnotta added that the Canadiens might consider a similar approach with Christian Dvorak, who has a $4.45 million cap hit.

"The Canadians have one retention slot still available to them where they can eat money on a deal," Pagnotta said. "So it could be on Savard three and a quarter mil. It could be on Dvorak's $4.45 million cap hit. We'll see where they go. But the Canadians have options."

Savard is in the final year of a four-year $14 million contract. He was part of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup-winning team in 2021.

Montreal Canadiens lost 2-1 to the Stars in shootout

The Montreal Canadiens suffered a 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars at Bell Centre on Saturday. Patrik Laine scored in the second period to give Montreal a 1-0 lead on a power play. Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson assisted on the goal.

Dallas tied the game later in the second period as Jamie Benn scored with a wrist shot from the left face-off circle.

In the shootout, Jason Robertson scored the deciding goal for Dallas.

Jake Oettinger made 30 saves for the Stars, while Sam Montembeault stopped 34 shots for the Canadiens.