Columbus Blue Jackets

David Savard Trade to Tampa Bay Lightning Complete Via Red Wings

by
NHL Trade Talk
April 10, 2021

The David Savard trade is done. It’s a bit complicated, but it’s complete and thanks it involves the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets, along with a third team, the Detroit Red Wings. Needless to say, the Savard is significant. The Lightning get their defenseman without having to use cap space, Detroit gets an asset for helping and Columbus gets a first-round pick, plus more in return.

We have acquired defenseman David Savard in a multi-team trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings. https://t.co/5tYIISleym
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 10, 2021

Reports surfaced Saturday afternoon via Pierre LeBrun: “Hearing that the Blue Jackets could be getting a first-round pick if a David Savard trade to Tampa gets concluded… trade isn’t done yet.” Meanwhile, Elliotte Friedman writes, “Hearing TB/CLB working on a David Savard deal.”

Hearing that the Blue Jackets could be getting a first-round pick if a David Savard trade to Tampa gets concluded… trade isn't done yet https://t.co/TmEru0li3i
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 10, 2021

Here is the breakdown of the actual trade:

Trade 1: Columbus trades David Savard to Detroit for Brian Lashoff, Columbus retains 50% of Savard’s contract.
Detroit trades David Savard to Tampa for Tampa’s 4th-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Detroit retains 50% of Savard’s contract
Columbus trades Brian Lashoff to Tampa Bay for Tampa’s first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry draft and Tampa’s third-round pick in the 2022 Entry draft.

At the end of the day, Columbus retains 50% of Savard’s salary and gets the 1st round pick in 2021 and a 3rd round pick in 2022. Detroit retains 25% of Savard and gets Tampa’s 4th round pick in 2021. Tampa acquires Savard and Lashoff but gives up a first-round pick and a fourth in 2021 and a 3rd round pick in 2022.

The Lightning were considered a “stealth team” that could be making a pitch for Savard but it will be interesting to see how the salary cap works on this deal. The assumption is that some salary retention is going to have to happen with a contract going back to Columbus.

Be a Big Change for Savard

Savard was drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, 94th overall. He has established himself as one of the NHL’s better two-way players in 2013-14, getting top-pair duties the next year. In ten years, he’s played over 600 games with Columbus, scoring 41 goals, 125 assists for 166 points while anchoring the right side. He’s currently on his way to free agency, playing the last year of a five-year, $21 million contract.