David Savard calls it a career, retires after 870 NHL games

In a league where longevity and toughness are earned through blood, sweat, and relentless competition, David Savard ’s retirement marks the end of an era for one of the NHL ’s most underappreciated defensemen. After 14 seasons, 870 games, and a Stanley Cup ring with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Savard is stepping away from the game. His emotional final moments on the ice with the Montreal Canadiens were a fitting end to a storied career that saw him battle through the grind and deliver when it mattered most.



David Savard’s journey from Blue Jackets backbone to Stanley Cup champion

Congrats to David Savard on a great career! https://t.co/ZE0PkGrbwp pic.twitter.com/12VbeTbevb

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 1, 2025

David Savard’s legacy is one built on grit, consistency, and leadership, even though he often flew under the radar. A stalwart for the Columbus Blue Jackets for nearly a decade, Savard’s tough, no-frills style of defense became the backbone of the team. His ability to block shots, kill penalties, and battle in the trenches of the defensive zone earned him the respect of teammates and opponents alike.


However, it wasn’t until his late-career role with the Tampa Bay Lightning that Savard truly cemented his place in hockey history. In 2021, as the Lightning captured the Stanley Cup, Savard was a key part of the team’s championship run, proving that even a player whose name doesn’t always make headlines can be a difference-maker when the stakes are highest.


Savard’s final season with the Canadiens, ending in a loss to the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round, was emotional not just for him but for his teammates as well. The postgame scene, where Canadiens players lined up to hug their veteran defenseman, spoke volumes about the respect and admiration Savard had earned over the years.


David Savard's retirement: A legacy honored by coaches like Spencer Carbery


The announcement of his retirement came before the playoffs, and though the Canadiens’ postseason run was cut short, it was clear that Savard’s impact on and off the ice had already been felt. It was not just his physical presence, but his leadership, his experience, and his understanding of the game that made him an invaluable asset for every team he played for.


NHL coaches, players, and fans alike shared in the sentiment after Savard’s final game. Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery took a moment in his postgame press conference to congratulate Savard on a career that, in his words , "I want to congraulate two things, David Savard, the career he has had. Starting his career I remember in Columbus, wins the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay, so it was an honor to compete against David Savard Carbery,” recognized the warrior mentality that Savard brought to every game, a mentality that defined his entire career.


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In the end, David Savard’s journey through 14 seasons in the NHL might not have been flashy, but it was undeniably impactful. As he hangs up his skates, the league loses a true warrior, a player who may not have always been in the spotlight, but whose presence on the ice was always felt.