Savard: 'It was my childhood dream to play in Montreal'

MONTREAL - The Canadiens agreed to terms on a four-year contract with defenseman David Savard.

Shortly after the announcement, Savard spoke with reporters via Zoom on Wednesday.
Here are a few highlights from his press conference:
Savard on his decision to sign with Montreal:
It was a family decision. I received offers from other teams, but the Canadiens' offer gave us the opportunity to come home and see our families more often. It's the chance to play for a historic franchise. I grew up watching Montreal. It was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. I'm extremely happy to join the Canadiens. Regardless of the salary or the contract, we accepted the moment we got the offer.

Savard on his appreciation of the Canadiens' style of game:
It's a team I didn't face during the regular season, but they impressed me a lot in the Final. They have a lot of talent. The young guys have really developed over the last few years. They elevated their game and they're playing important roles now. The club also has one of the best goaltenders in the League. They're extremely competitive. I just want to help and bring experience. I want to play the same style of game like I did with Columbus and Tampa Bay. I'm going to try and play well defensively. I want to be physical and tough to play against.
Savard on the absence of captain Shea Weber, and the impact of that news on his choice to join the Habs:
It's definitely something that played an important role in my decision. I wanted to have an important role with whatever team I signed with. I think I still have a lot to offer. I want to be a part of the team's sucess. The fact that they've lost Shea's services for a substantial amount of time, that will allow me to play an important role in the organization and play on the penalty kill. When I got the offer, it was a chance I couldn't pass up. It was my childhood dream to play in Montreal. I had no choice but to accept.

Savard on his favorite Canadiens memory as a kid:
I remember when I was in school during the playoffs and everyone was screaming: "Go Habs Go!" I grew up playing street hockey pretending to be Jocelyn Thibault, Patrick Roy and José Théodore. I was a big fan of goaltenders back then. I have good memories of watching the playoffs with my family. I always watched the Canadiens on Saturday night with my grandparents. I have a lot of friends who are Canadiens fans. My father still follows the team. I think it will be even easier for him to follow me now.
Savard on the pressure that comes with playing in Montreal:
It will definitely be an adjustment. I wasn't well-known in Columbus. Hockey isn't as important there as it is in Montreal. This should be fun in terms of the pressure to perform and play well. You want to win and you want to play on the big stage. That's why Montreal should be a very special place for me. It's always special to play in the Bell Centre. Experiencing that every week will be even more fun for me. I see this as a good challenge and a good experience. I'm going to keep playing the same way. I won't change the way I show up at the rink every night. I'm going to do my job. I'm going to focus on my work and my family. I'm going to control what I can control.