Christian Dvorak: the Canadiens should consider offering him a contract extension The article likely discusses how Christian Dvorak, a Canadian professional ice hockey player, has performed well and deserves a contract extension from the Montreal Canadiens. The team’s management should consider this to keep him on their roster, as he has been a valuable asset to the team. Offering a contract extension to Christian Dvorak would be a strategic move for the Canadiens, as it would allow them to maintain a strong and consistent lineup. By considering a contract extension for Christian Dvorak, the Canadiens can ensure that they retain a talented player who can continue to contribute to the team’s success in the future

Dose
Crédit: Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

To win in the NHL, you need a good center line.

Right now, there’s only one long-term certainty: Nick Suzuki is there. He’s the team’s first center and unless a better center comes along to replace him, he’ll be there for many years to come.

Thanks to Marc Bergevin for getting him and signing him, right?

But behind him, it’s thin. After all, Kirby Dach won’t play again this season and fewer and fewer people want to see him at center on the second unit (and at center in general) next year.

Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak? They’ll be free agents in a few months if nothing changes.

So, as it stands, if we take the four regular centers since the start of the season, only one is guaranteed to play center for the team next year.

And it’s not like Alex Newhook and Owen Beck are ideal solutions.

What I’m trying to say is that the team, which has a good chance of trading Evans in the coming days, has a good chance of having a thin center line in 2025-2026.

And that’s the year the Canadiens want to take a step forward. #Concerning

It’s possible that a top center joins the organization – and that would be good to support Nick Suzuki, who played well with Sean Monahan behind him.

That being said, until proven otherwise, it’s not the case yet.

Already lacking help at the top of the pyramid, seeing all the depth leave wouldn’t be a good thing. After all, the Canadiens can’t just rely on the Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen of the world.

So the question (which was impossible to ask before) arises: how much should the Canadiens consider offering Christian Dvorak a contract?

Obviously, we know it’s not the sexiest idea in town. Dvorak doesn’t have a big fan club among fans because he’s never lived up to expectations.

He never even came close to living up to them, in fact.

Warning: if Evans stays or if the Canadiens find a way to add (or keep) established centers, the proposal can take a backseat. But for now, that’s not the case.

We also have to wonder how much Christian Dvorak would be willing to sign a one-year contract to stay in town. We don’t know the answer from his side.

But I wonder how much Dvorak, who has a good chance of finishing the season in Montreal, would accept a one-year contract to rebuild his market value. I’m talking about one year because the Canadiens won’t want to keep him at all costs… and because I don’t want to keep him for more than that.

And if so, why not in Montreal, where he has the trust of Martin St-Louis? Starting on the power play is proof of his usefulness in the coach’s eyes, let’s be clear.

With a fourth-line contract (he should accept a significant pay cut, it goes without saying), Dvorak would have a specific role for the Canadiens and he would bring depth to a center line that, as we’ve said, will desperately need it.

Dvorak is American, but he chose to play his junior hockey in Canada. He also seems to enjoy being part of the group and is a good friend of Cole Caufield, as you probably know, which makes us think he could be open to the idea.

Obviously, the contract extension shouldn’t happen now (it would be way too early)… but as July 1st approaches, guys like Dvorak and David Savard could become potential candidates for a one-year contract.

Again: it will depend on how the Canadiens’ offseason goes. But it’s not an idea to dismiss out of hand, even if he’s not exactly a fan favorite.

In brief

– Josh Norris to be traded?

– Ah yeah?

– Interesting.

– The question arises.

– A good kid, Lane Hutson.

– It will be long.