The following QMJHL season, Savard began to support more in an offensive aspect, aiming to become a more complete player. Consequently, he was awarded many league trophies at year's end, including the Émile Bouchard Trophy as the best defensive defenceman, and the Kevin Lowe Trophy awarded to the best overall QMJHL defenceman, while finishing first in league scoring among defencemen and establishing a QMJHL record for assists at his position.[4]
In October 2010, while still eligible for major junior hockey, the Blue Jackets assigned Savard to play with the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Springfield Falcons, [7] where he finished as the team's top-scoring defenceman and second among all rookie blueliners leaguewide.[8] He again joined the AHL ranks to begin the 2011–12 season.[9]
In July 2013, as a restricted free agent, Savard was re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets organization.[13]
Savard played his first full NHL season with the Blue Jackets for the 2013–14 campaign,[14] registering 15 points in 70 games. On July 5, 2014, he signed a two-year contract extension with the team.[15]
On September 15, 2015, Savard inked a five-year, $21.25 million contract extension with the Blue Jackets.[16] During the 2016–17 season, he would effectively set a franchise record in plus–minus at +33.[17]
Tampa Bay Lightning
Entering the final year of his contract in the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Savard collected one goal and six points through 40 regular-season games played. Approaching the annual NHL trade deadline, Savard was involved in a three-way trade involving Columbus, the Detroit Red Wings, and eventual destination Tampa Bay Lightning.[18] He and the Lightning would then go on to win the Stanley Cup, with Savard contributing five points in 20 playoff games, including an assist on Ross Colton's series-clinching goal in Game 5 of that year's Stanley Cup Finals.[19]
Montreal Canadiens and retirement
Following his Stanley Cup run with the Lightning, Savard opted to test free agency, securing a four-year, $14 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens on July 28, 2021.[20] Drawing into the Canadiens' lineup amidst team captain and fellow bluneliner Shea Weber being placed on long-term injured reserve, Savard was regarded as part of the attempt to compensate for the foregoing's loss. Despite this, he antithetically became a focus of criticism from fans after what was an historically poor season for the team overall.[21] On January 29, 2022, it was announced that Savard would miss eight weeks of the 2021–22 season due to an ankle injury.[22] While injury likewise plagued his 2022–23 production,[23] Savard received recognition as the team's annual recipient of the Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy, awarded to the player deemed to have had a dominant role during the course of the regular season.[24] At the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, Savard was again named recipient of the Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy, becoming just the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish this feat in consecutive years.[25]
During the 2024–25 season, he skated in his 800th career NHL game,[26] joining a select few from his respective draft class to reach this milestone.[27] Shortly after the Canadiens secured their berth in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Savard announced that he would retire at the end of his team's respective postseason run,[28] which culminated following their first-round series defeat by the Washington Capitals on April 30, 2025.[29]
Savard was a member of Canada's gold medal-clinching team at the 2015 World Championships, where they won for the first time since 2007 with a perfect 10-0 record.[30]
Personal life
Savard married his longtime girlfriend, fellow Québécois Valerie Lachance, in their home province during the 2018 offseason.[31] The couple has three children: Emma, Elliot and Zachary.[3]
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