August 23, 2023
With us drifting into the last of the dog days of summer, fans of the Montreal Canadiens have been fortunate to have GM Kent Hughes swing two trades during the dead weeks. Nevertheless, when off-season business is slow we can count on random ideas to circulate and gain traction. This dynamic was real earlier this summer due to a packed forward group, and a healthy list of prospects who would be looking for playing time come training camp.
Hughes was recently able to offload forwards Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick and, quite frankly, fetched more in return than anyone was expecting. In a summer of subtraction, the wily GM has quietly found a way to trim his roster of old contracts while adding assets.
While fans would love to keep that ball rolling, there are two players on the roster that Hughes should be in no rush to move.
Christian Dvorak
With the Patrice Bergeron retirement announcement in late July, it wasn’t long before the Christian Dvorak trade proposals kicked in.
There was a rather large fly in that ointment – adding Dvorak was not likely to actually upgrade the middle of the ice for the Boston Bruins. A middle consisting of Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, Morgan Geekie, Patrick Brown and, more recently, John Farinacci is not exactly a formula to repeat on a record-breaking season, but we’re hard-pressed to argue that Dvorak moves the needle. The Bruins need a top-six centre, and that’s not Dvorak.
What is he then? Christian Dvorak is a 200-foot centreman who can contribute offensively and be relied upon for consistent performance in the faceoff dot. Dvorak is a mature, low maintenance professional who won’t create any drama. I would also argue he is a better hockey player than he has demonstrated with the Habs, whether because the team has been so poor or because the bright lights of Montreal are not his cup of tea.
On a contender, Dvorak is a solid third line centreman who can kill penalties and be utilized in any situation for important draws. While Habs fans may resent the path that brought Dvorak to Montreal, his contract is reasonable and it’s in place for two more years. Dvorak is the perfect trade deadline addition, and Kent Hughes has two deadlines to land a solid return.
David Savard
When Hughes’ magic landed Jeff Petry back in Montreal, fans lost their minds a little. While some were planning selections for the first round picks he would fetch in a trade, others were ready to offload David Savard and replace him with Petry. Sure, Petry would have been an upgrade, but keeping him was never likely something Hughes entertained.
With or without Petry, some are prepared to move Savard for any return, and just play the kids on defense. Aside from the fact that the Montreal Canadiens would be most reluctant to ice three kids on the right side of their defense group, this position assumes that Savard lacks value. Is that fair?
David Savard is a big and solid defensive defenseman who can log 20 minutes a night, kill penalties, and has more puck-moving ability than most give him credit for. He’s about to turn 33, and is in his decline years for sure, but at a $3.5M cap hit for two more seasons he is a Stanley Cup winner who can contribute to a playoff team. Like Dvorak, Savard is a perfect trade deadline addition, and Hughes has two deadlines to land a solid return.
Timing is everything
Since arriving in Montreal, HuGo has done an admirable job of strengthening the centre ice and defense positions. Kirby Dach, Sean Monahan and Alex Newhook are all HuGo wonders, with Owen Beck knocking on the door. Replacing Petry with Mike Matheson was robbery, and the additions of Justin Barron and David Reinbacher has boosted the right side D for years to come. There is no mystery here – Dvorak and Savard are not in the future picture of the Montreal Canadiens and will eventually be moved.
The question is one of timing.
Dvorak is currently injured, but when healthy he can help the Habs. There is no such thing as too many centremen and he can take the pressure off the kids, especially in the faceoff circle. Savard is a near perfect placeholder while the kids develop on right side D – the contract is reasonable, he brings a leadership factor, and he can take some of those heavy minutes with the French media to support the kids.
These are not “bag of pucks” assets.
I have no doubt that either would be available for the right price. I also have no doubt that if a kid or two kills it in camp, the price could drop if it becomes necessary to open up a spot. But if neither of those things happens imminently, I suspect Hughes is content to let them help the Habs and build value in a trade as days of their current contracts expire and they become more affordable to suitors.
No doubt trades are eventually coming for both players, but there is no rush to make it happen. Hughes can afford to wait until the time is right for the Habs.
Hab At Her 