This fall, the Canadiens’ training camp will be particularly intriguing to follow, with numerous position battles expected. Young players will be eager to prove they belong in the NHL, and the ongoing rebuild will start to influence the team’s preparation.
For now, the competition is mainly on the blue line. While Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, and David Savard seem secure in their spots, there will be intense competition for the remaining positions. Players like Xhekaj, Harris, Struble, Hutson, Mailloux, Barron, and possibly Reinbacher will be fighting for a few available spots.
On the offensive side, the situation is different. Joshua Roy is one young player who has a chance to make the team, but he’s likely the only one with a strong opportunity.
With Kaiden Guhle locked up, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes can focus on further improving his team this offseason… even if he doesn't really need to #GoHabsGo #THW https://t.co/vfSU2zkD9I
— Ryan Szporer (@rszporer) August 3, 2024
This is why Ryan Szporer’s recent article for The Hockey Writers was surprising, especially his suggestion that trading Christian Dvorak should be Kent Hughes’ top priority before the off-season ends. According to Szporer, trading Dvorak could resolve several issues in Montreal. He argues that Kirby Dach’s return will push Alex Newhook to the wing, potentially squeezing Joshua Roy out of a top-6 role.
Szporer is concerned about Roy ending up in a “Jesse Ylönen” situation, where he doesn’t get the offensive role needed to thrive.
Il y a plusieurs raisons qui font en sorte que ça tombe sous le sens… pour le moment → https://t.co/Zu6YSe7w1o
— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) July 28, 2024
Even with Dach’s return, there should still be a spot in the top-6. The first line with Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovský is likely to stay intact, but Dach and Newhook will need a winger on the second line. Joel Armia seems like a logical choice, but if Joshua Roy impresses at camp, he could force the team’s hand.
That said, it’s unclear how trading Dvorak, a center, would create a spot for Roy, a winger. Given that Dvorak likely isn’t in high demand on the trade market, Kent Hughes might need to pay to offload a player who isn’t causing problems and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
A trade sending Dvorak to Columbus in a deal for Patrik Laine could make sense. However, with not enough young players pushing for positions right now, the Canadiens might not be inclined to pay to move Dvorak.
If Owen Beck has a standout camp and proves he’s NHL-ready, perhaps as a fourth-line center, the situation could change. But for now, Beck is expected to spend the year in Laval.
Ultimately, if a team shows interest in Dvorak at the trade deadline, the Canadiens could move him then. Otherwise, it might be better to let his contract run out in about ten months rather than paying to get rid of a player who can fill the third-line center role until the younger players are ready.
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