Canadiens Daily
Canadiens NHL Free Agency Options – Dvorak Versus Beauvillier
The Montreal Canadiens are yet to establish a clear plan forward to rectify their dearth of quality options among centermen.
Beyond the fact that Kirby Dach saw a significant dip in underlying numbers last season, not to mention his latest season-ending surgery, if the Canadiens do not re-sign centre Christian Dvorak they’ll be left with almost no depth down the middle of the ice, a precarious situation for any team, especially one that is hoping to maintain an upward trajectory after a surprise playoff appearance.
Finding a centre to play with Ivan Demidov on the second line may not be a feasible proposal in free agency, but a player like Anthony Beauvillier could help bolster the team’s depth while providing a relatively reliable source of tertiary scoring.
Montreal Canadiens Centre Options
Beauvillier mentioned to TVA Sports that contract negotiations with the Washington Capitals aren’t progressing very quickly, which means he may have to pivot once free agency opens on July 1.
If he does hit the open market, he’d welcome interest from the Canadiens.
“I’d want to discuss the term and the salary, but yes, if the Canadiens come calling I would definitely explore the possibility” he explained. “It’s a place where I would love to play, so we’ll how to see how things unfold, but I’d certainly consider an offer from them.”
Before anyone gets too excited, Beauvillier stated he’d like to re-sign with the Capitals first and foremost.
We also have to guard against players using the Habs as leverage in contract negotiations, which may be the case for pending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux.
On that note, if there is legitimate interest in Beauvillier, the Canadiens would have to establish whether he would truly be an upgrade on Dvorak. For the most part, Beauvillier serves as a winger, but he can play as a centre.
Anthony Beauvillier Versus Christian Dvorak
With 12 goals and 21 assists in 82 games, Dvorak had a higher production rate than Beauvillier, however it should be noted that Beauvillier split his time between two teams after a trade between the Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He still managed to score 15 goals and 10 assists in 81 games.
Both players make a positive impact in terms of expected goals against, but that’s where the similarities end. Beauvillier has an edge in shot control, as well as overall expected goals.
As you can see in the Evolving Wild charts embedded below, Beauvillier’s impact at 5v5 is clearly superior.
Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks
Dvorak is coming off a contract that carried a $4.45 million annual average value, whereas Beauvillier is fresh off a one-year deal that only accounted for a $1.25 million salary-cap hit, connoting that a potential deal with Beauvillier could end up being cheaper than re-signing Dvorak.
Of course, Beauvillier stands at just 5’11”, which flies in the face of the well-established narrative that the Canadiens are hellbent on getting bigger and meaner via the draft and free agency. We should probably avoid overcorrecting when it comes to the size issue. The two-inch height difference between Dvorak and Beauvillier is fairly irrelevant when we weigh their on-ice results.
All things considered, Beauvillier would likely be a reasonably-priced free agent signing who could serve as an upgrade in a position that desperately needs to be reinforced.
All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Wild.Â
I’m not so sure I’m seeing an upgrade at center here… he doesn’t take a lot of draws nor is he all that great at them… that’s an important part of filling Dvo’s shoes on the 3rd line… Beaulivier feels like another winger in a crowded group (I already have Dach and Newhook in that winger mix too)
Agreed. Beauvillier did very well after getting to Washington. He should stay there, as he’s made a fair bit of dough already, and it’s often best to stay where youre succeeding over going for a bigger payday. Just ask the guys in Florida.
Is there a different meaning for upgrade than I know because is not an improvement on anyone on the Canadien’s roster!
It really doesn’t matter how big Dvorak is. He is anything but physical. Look at Laine, he’s 6’5″ but plays like he’s 5’6″. Brian Gionta had more grit in between his teeth than either of those two. Dvorak had a fine finish to the year, as he got most of his points and half his goals after 4 Nations. If he wants a raise, I’d show him the door, and in fact I would let him walk anyhow. Jake Evans proved last fall he was more than able to play with Gallagher and Anderson, and he should get that chance–he has earned it. It’s not hard to find a 4th line center, there are dozens of candidates plying their trade in the AHL, and we may find Kapanen or Beck ready to play there as early as next camp. No, its the 2C slot that is the priority.
Hage might be ready in a year or 2, but that doesn’t help us now. A 2C is the biggest hole on the team, and will be the most difficult to fill. I hope it goes better than the Dvorak, Dach and Newhook failures. If Jason Robertson is truly available, Hughes would be wise to find out the price. I’m not sure there’s a better option who might be available.
Hughes also needs to get another RHD, as Carrier alone isn’t enough, Reinbacher isn’t ready, and Mailloux is seemingly trade bait. I’ve heard Fabbro as a possibility, but I would go after Codi Ceci if he gets to market. He would be a low cost stopgap until Reinbacher and Konyushkov are ready, and plays the shutdown style Savard did. Otherwise, I think Laine must go, he sets a poor example with his lack of effort, and he’s awful at 5 on 5. Teams began blocking his shot on the PP, and he never adjusted, which made him more liability than anything else by 4 Nations. Yes, as Hughes said, without his PP goals, Habs didn’t make the playoffs, but they can’t keep growing with an anchor dragging down the 2nd line.
They don’t need to add older over paid D to wait for anyone .They have young D who will no doubt make mistakes , Hutson did , but they are not Stanley Cup contenders ! Mailloux, Reinbacher ,Engstrom and Trudeau need to play .Patience not a pittance in over the hill defenseman .
What does this have to do with the article on centremen?!?
Lots of word salad general manager. I stopped on line 8 of the longest -paragraph I have ever seen! How exactly does this solve no lefties in the dot. It’s hard to score chasing the puck all night! How many 40% centers do u want on one team I’ll pass on this clearly.
Not an upgrade at all !
The Habs need grit and upgrade skill to move forward next season ..!! Unless these suggestions show cup potential ..leave them alone ..!! I would rather develop Florian Xhekaij than take in some has been that will just take up ice time …!!
It is difficult to say, but younger less experienced Washington Center Hendrix Lapierre might have more potential than Anthony Beauvillier.
Pageau
He played well against us in the playoffs and certainly caught my attention, but I don’t really see him as a C. He’s more of a winger in my eyes.