Canadiens & Stars emerging as trade partners ahead of deadline

The Montreal Canadiens have several pending free agents who are likely on the move ahead of the March 7 trade deadline, including defenseman David Savard. The defensive defenseman is a Stanley Cup winner, he's an elite penalty killer, and as a right-handed option, can be a solid top-four blueliner for a contending team.

Savard has been linked to the Dallas Stars as a potential seamless fit from Kayla Douglas of The Score. The Stars have the cap space to fit Savard's $3.5 million AAV this season and the 34-year-old would be a huge get for Dallas, who have already been busy adding Cody Ceci and Mikael Granlund recently. Last season, like Savard, they landed Chris Tanev to play a similar role and this year it could be Savard's turn.

From Douglas: 

Savard isn't the flashiest name available, but he's a solid fit for Dallas' needs even after the club acquired Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci. The Stars could still use another right-handed option on top of Matt Dumba, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Ceci. Their depth took a hit with Nils Lundkvist's season-ending injury, so Savard could help ease the blow.

Sure, Savard is 34 and has shown some warts with the Canadiens, but the Stars are a far better defensive team than Montreal, and their system should shield the veteran better. Savard isn't Chris Tanev - who Dallas has sorely missed this season - but he has a similar skill set and ranks just outside the top 10 in shot blocks (122) this campaign. Savard also has a strong leadership presence, which can help the Stars in the absence of Tyler Seguin and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas wouldn't need to take on money beyond this campaign by acquiring Savard.

Stars' GM Jim Nill is one of the savviest executives in the league and this season it feels like he's not finished, and there's a very good chance he could be doing business with Canadiens GM Kent Hughes before March 7, and adding Savard to his blue line.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images