Christian Dvorak: “Don’t expect him to come back to Montreal”

The free agent market opens at noon.

The Canadiens won’t necessarily be signing the biggest names on the market, but we can expect to see Kent Hughes adding forwards to his organization soon.

As colleague Maxime Truman said, it just makes sense.

Because the Habs have lost a number of forwards recently, many of them will have to be replaced… or a few guys brought back who were in Quebec in 2024-2025, but are now free as a bird.

One of the names circulating is Christian Dvorak. Yes, that formerly unloved guy who found himself a role in the city in 2025, four years after his arrival in the metropolis.

What’s going on with him?

Well, it’s important to know that the fact that he’s a center gives him value, and he could go for a nice contract. And the more time goes by, the more it seems to be elsewhere than Montreal. Marco D’Amico put in a good word for me on Twitter.

I’ve been told not to expect Christian Dvorak to return to Montreal. – Marco D’Amico

Told not to expect a return for Christian Dvorak with the Montreal Canadiens.
Hearing he has a lot of interest across the league, including Vancouver and St-Louis, among others.
Perfect timing for him to take advantage of a bone-dry center market.
– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) July 1, 2025

I can’t say I’m surprised. After all, the American for-

Actually, no: you can’t play that. Because even if the Blues’ name refuses to die, Dvo is linked to the Canucks by D’Amico, but also by Rick Dhaliwal, who covers the Canucks.

Canucks will be after center’s today
Keep an eye on the likes of Christian Dvorak and Jack Roslovic.
Dvorak could make a lot of sense.
Mikael Granlund is on the list but has so many teams after him.
– Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 1, 2025

In the current market (thin on centers and with a rising ceiling), the Canucks could give quite a bit of money to Dvorak, who could hit the jackpot in Vancouver.

Dvorak chose to play in London (OHL) in the past. Once again, he could choose Canada.

overtime

– Nice contract.

Thatcher Demko extends his contract with the Vancouver Canucks for 3 years. The deal is $8.5M per year! #signings #autonomousplayers pic.twitter.com/DVL6Tdbsnc
– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) July 1, 2025

– Know something, Tony?

One free agent who is exactly what the @CanadiensMTL need (big, strong, physical) is Tanner Jeannot.
One free agent who is exactly what the Montreal Canadiens need (big, strong, physical) is Tanner Jeannot.@thesickpodcasts
– Tony Marinaro (@TonyMarinaro) July 1, 2025

– Interesting.

Sources say Tony DeAngelo is closing in on a deal to stay on Long Island. #isles
Cross another name off the list – a thin right-shot defense market gets thinner.
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2025

– Corey Perry in Philly?

Elliotte Friedman: Philadelphia believed to have interest in Corey Perry – Sportsnet
– NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 1, 2025

– He wanted to win in Toronto.

Mitch Marner says goodbye to Toronto on IG. He says all he wanted to do was bring a Stanley Cup to his hometown: “I gave everything I had, but in the end it wasn’t enough. That’s hard to admit because I wanted it so badly for all of us.” pic.twitter.com/6vhE5BPKSY
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2025

– 14?

Friedman on NHL Network says McDavid and Oilers are talking but would be surprised if an extension is done tomorrow, but adds we could see other big extensions tomorrow, mentions Kaprizov and Eichel. Friedman says Eichel could be a 13-14 aav player.
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 1, 2025