There is only one jersey on the ceiling of Nationwide Arena. This is the number 61 of Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets’ first big offensive star. We will never hoist David Savard’s 58, but he will always remain a popular character in Ohio.

Savard has worn the Blue Jackets for 597 games, which ranks him fifth in team history. Even today, almost two years after his deal with the Lightning, he still has a palpable influence within the jackets.

Zach Werenski, traversing the corridors of the amphitheater ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, spoke with great delight of his former teammate.

Like Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj and Johnathan Kovacevic, Werenski benefited from the bearded defenseman’s lead on his NHL debut in 2016-17.

“You can see what he’s doing on the ice, he takes care of the immaterial,” said Werenski, who will be out for the rest of the season with a serious shoulder injury. He’s blocking shots, he’s understaffed, he’s defending a lead late in the game, and he’s shooting. He always has difficult moments.

“But off the ice, Savy is just great. You want to dress around him. When you are young you need to turn to a player like him. He eased my integration at the NHL level.

A first partner

Vladislav Gavrikov scored the winning goal in the 5-4 overtime win over the Flyers. The 26-year-old defender was already smiling in the jackets dressing room but was just as happy to drop a few words about Savard.

Jackets pick of the 2015 6th round, Gavrikov came to Columbus for the 2019 playoffs but established himself as a fullback in 2019-20.

“I learned a lot from Savy,” said Gavrikov. He was my first blue line partner in the NHL. He helped me on the ice, but also off the rink. I’m from Russia, it was my first season in North America. I needed guidance. He helped me a lot. He made me laugh too.”

“He’s done a lot of things for me off the ice,” he continued. I can only thank him. There are a few small everyday things he could help me with. I asked him questions and he always answered me with a smile. He has a big heart. He was an important soul in that dressing room.”

the right culture

Martin St-Louis often talks about his desire to establish a good culture in Montreal.

When he doesn’t have star status, Savard is the type of player who helps find the recipe for success. Werenski is convinced of that.

“Savy would be one of my first choices to establish a good culture within a team,” said Werenski. He’s not a spectacular defender, but he does everything you want to learn to become a complete NHL player. If I wanted to build a team and instill a culture of success, Savy would definitely be at the top of my list. He’s an incredible person.”

Brad Larsen, the Jackets head coach, shared the same sentiment.

“I’m not surprised to see David playing the role of a big brother in Montreal. I was an assistant coach at Springfield when David made his American League debut (2010-2011). He came from the junior ranks and was an attacking defender. He had won the Canadian Hockey League’s Defenseman of the Year title (2009-2010).

“But he found a way to turn his game upside down. He’s become a very complete defender, a defensive type who blocks shots. They called him the lumberjack in Columbus with his big beard. He has bruises all over his body, but he never complains. Yes, he’s a good defender, but he’s also a very good person.

With 52 blocked shots, Savard is second in the NHL this season.