The Montreal Canadiens are expected to pursue a defenseman from a division rival to replace David Savard, who has retired.
The Canadiens were the youngest team to make the playoffs last season and will look to bring in more talent to the roster. One area of need is on defense after Savard announced his retirement.
Despite Montreal having some young defenseman in the system, NHL insider Marco D’Amico links the Canadiens to Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix in free agency.
“RD Nick Perbix Is expected to hit the free agency market,” D’Amico wrote on X. “That’s the kind of low-key UFA signing that I’ve spoken about re: the Habs. Replacing Savard on the right side and buying Reinbacher some more time to develop. There is likely to be lots of interest league-wide.”
Perbix completed a two-year, $2.25 million deal with the Lightning and is expected to hit free agency in search of more playing time than he got in Tampa Bay. Perbix skated in 74 games, recording 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points last season.
In his NHL career, Perbix has skated in 220 games, recording 13 goals and 50 assists for 63 points. He can be a solid third-pairing defenseman for the Canadiens and be a stopgap on the NHL roster for the prospects to continue to develop in the minors.
What is Perbix Expected to Get in Free Agency?
Perbix will be one of the top defensemen available in free agency.
The 27-year-old is ranked as the 42nd-best free agent, according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff. Perbix can be a second-pairing defenseman and can also play on the penalty kill and power play.
Entering free agency, AFP Analytics projects Perbix to sign a two-year deal worth $2.7 million per season. Perbix would nearly double what he made, and at $2.7 million, would be a great deal for the Canadiens or any team that signs him. Especially, if Perbix can take a step forward and be a second-pairing defenseman.
Perbix was selected 169th overall in 2017 by the Lightning. He made his NHL debut in 2022.
Canadiens’ Savard Explains Decision to Retire
Savard announced his retirement from the NHL before the playoffs began.
Savard felt like it was time to stop playing hockey as his body told him he was done.
“Around Christmastime, I kind of knew what my body felt like,” Savard said. “My body’s just kind of failing a little bit. By that time, just thinking about going through another summer, another season, you just don’t see yourself doing it. So I was just going to enjoy it and play as hard as I can…
“I just knew my body wasn’t able to do what I used to do,” Savard added. “I’ve known for a few months now that it was going to be my last year. I don’t know, I think I just wanted to be able to enjoy it as much as possible knowing it’s your last year instead of just waiting until the end of the year to see how you feel and everything.”
Savard won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2021. He finished his NHL career skating in 870 games, recording 54 goals and 188 assists for 242 points.
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