Denis Savard

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Lore & Background

Savard's tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks defined an era of high-octane offense. Selected third overall in 1980, he immediately set a rookie record with 75 points, a mark that stood until broken later. His most legendary contribution was the 'Savardian Spin-o-rama,' a full rotation move coined by Danny Gallivan that allowed Savard to whir around defenders and goaltenders alike. Between 1980–81 and 1989–90, he recorded five seasons of at least 100 points, peaking with 131 points in 1987–88 and 47 goals in 1985–86. He led the team to the Conference Finals four times, though they lost each series, including two against Edmonton. On June 29, 1990, he was traded for Chris Chelios, a move later viewed as favorable for Chicago given Savard's subsequent decline. Despite never winning a Cup in his first stint, his impact was profound; he remains one of three players to reach 1,000 points with the franchise.

In Their Own Story

The night of June 29, 1990, marked a painful turning point for Chicago fans when Savard was traded to Montreal. However, his journey culminated in a historic moment during the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. Injured with a hairline fracture in his ankle, Savard served essentially as an assistant coach during much of the postseason. When Montreal clinched the title in game five, captain Guy Carbonneau took the Cup but broke tradition by beckoning Savard to hoist it first. As an alternate captain who had waited years for this moment, Savard was granted the honor before the captain, a rare deviation from protocol. Following his return to Chicago in 1995 via trade from Tampa Bay, he played until June 26, 1997. His career ended where it began, leaving behind 1,338 points and a legacy that saw him elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Reader's Guide

For fans analyzing Savard's career, focus on his two distinct stints with Chicago separated by a five-year absence. His first run (1980–1990) established him as a scoring machine and franchise icon, while his return (1994–1997) allowed him to close out his career at home. Key statistics include 1,196 NHL games played, 473 goals, and 865 assists. He trails only Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and Patrick Kane in total points for the Blackhawks. In 169 playoff games, he scored 66 goals, with 61 coming during his Chicago tenure, ranking second in franchise history behind Hull. His jersey number #18 was retired on March 19, 1998, making him the fifth player to receive this honor. Post-retirement, he coached the Blackhawks from November 2006 until October 2008, posting a 65–66–16 record in 147 games before serving as an ambassador.

Did You Know?

• Savard was drafted third overall in 1980 after the Montreal Canadiens passed on him to select Doug Wickenheiser.
• He executed the 'spin' o rama,' a move where he whirled around with the puck in a full rotation to defeat defenders.
• During the 1993 Stanley Cup clinching game, captain Guy Carbonneau let Savard hoist the Cup first, breaking tradition.
• Savard shares his jersey number #18 with Serge Savard, an unrelated player who was Montreal's GM when he acquired Denis in 1990.
• He was mentioned in the Hulu series The Bear as a guest at a party the night after his Hall of Fame induction.