The Jackets have signed David Savard to a five-year, $21.5 million extension today, locking up an important member of their defense corps. Savard emerged as an offensive threat from the blueline last season, putting up 11-25-36 and playing in all 82 games.
Congrats to David Savard (@dsavy58) on his new five-year extension! #CBJ FULL STORY: http://t.co/MYyksEhTbP pic.twitter.com/EFs35uDw4Z
— NHL Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 8, 2015
The contract comes with a cap hit of $4.25 million per season and kicks in after this year. At that point, Savard will have the third-highest cap hit among defensemen currently on the roster, behind only Fedor Tyutin at $4.5 million and Jack Johnson at $4.36 million per season. Thanks to General Fanager for the numbers.
At first glance, the number seems a tad generous given his body of work- I would have expected the team to see what kind of production he could have put up this upcoming season, the last in his two-year post-ELC deal. The brass had obviously seen enough to warrant the extension, making certain that he is a core defender going forward in what should be a very fluid blueline over the next year or so.