Canadiens Trade Tracker: Habs Taking Calls On Dvorak

Interest in Montreal Canadiens forward Christian Dvorak has picked up as of late, with teams reportedly checking in on his availability.

NHL insider Frank Servalli has put Christian Dvorak on his trade target board, as interest in the Canadiens’ centre has picked up leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline.

“Dvorak is a bit of a surprise name. He hasn’t been talked about much, but the Canadiens have received a couple calls on Dvorak in the weeks leading up to the deadline. You might look at his production and see that it doesn’t jump off the page, but Dvorak is still just below 0.50 points per game on a team that has really struggled (27th) to score this season,” wrote Seravalli on his trade board breakdown. “He has two more seasons on his contract, so that means that Dvorak isn’t likely to move – this would wait until summer – but the Canadiens didn’t plan to move a couple of the guys that they did last year, too.”

Although Sean Monahan would have been the logical choice for a trade, given his expiring contract, Dvorak has been playing some of the best hockey of the season of late.

The trio has been the Canadiens’ best line since being put together, and Dvorak has seen an uptick in his offensive chance creation.

Dvorak’s controlled shot ratio has notably increased of late, going from roughly 41% of controlled shots while on the ice to 49% in February. Even his expected goal totals have increased at the perfect time, going from a low ratio of 39% to a much more respectable 47% in the last month.

The 27-year-old forward currently sits fourth on the Montreal Canadiens in scoring with 27 points in 61 games, the offence, or lack thereof, is in line with the rest of the team’s dried-up offensive contributions.

Dvorak’s points percentage compared to his teammates, in conjunction with his 52% faceoff efficacy rate, prop him favourably within the team’s structure; hinting that there is potential for a scoring hike on a stronger, more balanced club.

Given his $4.45M cap hit for another two seasons, the Canadiens could take on salary in the short term to make it work. In the right situation, he could be of interest around the league as clubs look to improve themselves down the middle in the immediate and mid-term.

Dvorak will have an eight-team No-Trade Clause kicking in this summer, which could also prompt the Montreal Canadiens to take their chance in moving the rugged centre, given the emergence of Kirby Dach at centre and the possibility of bringing back Monahan for next season.