While Kent Hughes was able to make a big splash on the day of the draft by winning Noah Dobson in a business with the New York Icelanders, hunting to strengthen the first six of Montreal Canadians. It is not a secret for anyone that the Habs would have liked to find this second line center always elusive. However, the pivots of this pedigree are rare on the market, and many teams are looking for this type of jewel, which has prompted the GM to widen its research to include the six tops of the wingers that correspond to a specific profile.
Does this mean that Canadians should try to keep the Dvorak Christian? Marc Bergevin acquired UFA pending after losing Jesperi Kotkaniemi to a tender sheet and Philip Danault at the Los Angeles Kings in free agency. It was not as long as Dvorak was what the Canadians needed, but he was rather one of the few centers available on the market.
Advertisement
Canadians: Alexis Cournoyer’s childhood dream comes true
Canadians: Patrik Laine celebrated his big day
Canadians: Exchange rumors on Kyrou and Matheson
Four years later, the center left of 6 feet 1 inch and 190 pounds managed to play a full season in Montreal, and during this campaign, he only made 33 points. After nine years and 534 NHL games in which he gathered 249 points, it is obvious that the upward offensive he showed in junior hockey was caused by teammates Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk. Dvorak is not the man who could center the second line of the clothes.
Should Hughes bring him back to continue centering a veteran line with Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson? After all, they were an effective line for Sainte-Flanelle last season. We have to look back the GM season after the mortem to find a clue to answer this question. Although he is not talking about specific players, Hughes said he should be wary of blocking the development of his young players by signing free agents.
Hughes tries to build a lasting competitor and wants to promote organic development. Last season, the Canadians had two recruits who stayed all season: Lane Hutson and Emil Heineman. The two players had a more than satisfactory season and were well surrounded by veterans. Next season, it seems obvious that Ivan Demidov will be one of the recruits, but there could be another place to win, which Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck should face.
Advertisement
Bring back Dvorak could make them wonder why a veteran has just completed a place they have in their reticle. If Hughes signs a veteran center, it must be an impact player with the first six upwards, not one for the last six. Jake Evans is already in pencil there, and you should keep a place for which children can face.
Of course, Dvorak was experienced and could play on the penalty, but Kapanen did it in the Swedish League and even played on the advantage of man as well. The interest in sending him back to Europe was to allow him to gain experience in areas on which he would not have the possibility of working in the NHL. Now, with Dvorak, he has this opportunity. If it turns out that he cannot do it, Captain Nick Suzuki can always start playing on the killing unit of penalties, although it is far from ideal with his already heavy workload, but the option is there if necessary.
In other words, Dvorak’s signature to a new contract would send the bad message to young people; This would tell them that the organization does not believe that they are ready to take the next step, and it could have a deeply negative impact on their motivation.
Of course, going with young people will bring its share of increasing pain; There will be times when the team can miss the veteran, but it is a regular part of the process. It was the same with Hutson last season; As the calendar progressed, turnover and dangerous decisions have decreased. It’s just normal – young players must learn and grow in a NHL framework. Gaining experience in the AHL is all good, but there is a lower league, and what works there may not work at the highest level. They must be allowed to discover it for themselves.
Advertisement
Could it turn around? Not really, the worst thing that can happen is that there are more growing pain than the clothes did not think it would be, between this and to be stuck with a veteran who has become excess to the requirements and is almost impossible to exchange due to a contract which is too long or too generous. It does not strike me like a trap in which Hughes is likely to fall. Dvorak has performed well for Canadians in a role of six years last season, but the place must be made for young people, which means that there is no more room for him.
Photo credit: Images by David Kirouac-Imagn
Canadian stories, analysis, writing news and more! Press the star to add to your favorites on Google News, never miss a story.
Follow Karine on x @karinehains bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and threads @karinehains.
Advertisement
Bookmark The Canadian News Canadian Page page for all news and events around Canadians.
Join the discussion by entering the Canadiens round table on hockey news.
