Insider Matches Oilers in Trade to Less Attractive Cup-Winning D-Man

Suggesting that the Montreal Canadiens’ decision to acquire top-four, right-shot blueliner Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators means that David Savard is likely going to be traded. The NHL insider argued in a recent trade matcher article for The Athletic that it “is pretty much writing on the wall for the 34-year-old Savard, a pending unrestricted free agent who understood entering this season he could get moved at the deadline.”

As part of the post — which was meant to link possible suitors to the most popular names in the trade deadline rumor mill — LeBrun chose the Edmonton Oilers as a fit.

Because Savard lacks trade protection, where he goes is out of his control. That said, there are worse places to go as a pending UFA than the Oilers, who are once again Stanley Cup contenders. LeBrun explains:

His play has dipped this season, but in the context of a Habs team that’s not been very good defensively, I would imagine Cup contenders would look at Savard’s body of work and conclude it would travel well if he’s put in the right role. Enter the Oilers. There will be sexier trade targets on the market, to be sure, but I think as a sixth or seventh defenseman who can help kill penalties and who won a Cup with the Lightning — plus is a right-shot D — he’s a sensible idea for Edmonton.

LeBrun believes he’s not only a good fit for what Edmonton might need, but the price to acquire him would be much less than some of the other options on the market. “Especially considering I don’t think Savard would cost an arm and a leg. “That will be appealing for an Oilers team without a first-round pick this year,” LeBrun says.

Would the Oilers Want David Savard for Depth?

At a $3.5 million cap hit, the Oilers will want and need the Canadiens to retain some salary in the deal. But, if Edmonton can get Savard at a $1.75 cap hit (the Canadiens have one more spot left to retain), it could be a fit.