Proposed trade between rival Maple Leafs and Canadiens could bring defensive help to Toronto
A proposed trade would send top Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a draft pick.
The potential offer has the Montreal Canadiens trading defenseman David Savard to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with a 2025 second round pick in exchange for a 2026 first round pick.
Savard, a 13-year NHL veteran, would add an experienced blueline option for a rebuilding Leafs defensive core that has swapped out multiple players in a decisive contract year for stars Mitch Marner & John Tavares.
Toronto reportedly inquired about Savard at the 2023-24 NHL trade deadline, although nothing came to fruition.
The Leafs in this scenario also re-sign winger Nick Robertson to a one-year contract extension. Robertson has previously requested a trade, but the offer assumes his return for next season.
It would have to be assumed any 2026 draft pick would he given protection with a highly touted top prospect in Gavin McKenna viewed as the top prospect in it's draft class.
The proposed Robertson signing, for $780k, seems like an offer that wouldn't please the forward either, and added still is the lack of playing time, a driving force in Robertson's request for a trade.
Defenseman David Savard does give reliable blueline help, a bit of a need with the uncertainty over the status of Jani Hanakpaa's contract with Toronto, although the rumored price, Savard may be a bit to steep at this moment. The biggest question as well being if Montreal would trade for a rival, and if Toronto would pay a first to them?
In 60 games in the 2023-24 NHL season with the Canadiens, Savard had 6 goals, 18 assists & 24 points.
| POLL | ||
Who wins this trade: David Savard and a 2nd from MTL to TOR for a 1st? | ||
| Montreal Canadiens | 133 | 37 % |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 162 | 45.1 % |
| Fair Trade | 64 | 17.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
