Proposed trade between rival Maple Leafs and Canadiens could bring defensive help to Toronto

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.