Christian Dvorak: the CH may not be able to afford to trade him

47.3%.

38.3%.

55.1%.

52%.

41.4%.

Here, in order, are the face-off efficiency rates of Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Sean Monahan, Christian Dvorak and Alex Newhook for the 2022-2023 season.

We agree that Monahan's sample size is small, since he only played 25 games, his season having been cut short by injury.

That said, four of the five players I've named will technically battle it out for Montreal's three center positions at training camp, as Dvorak could miss the start of the season due to knee surgery.

However, Suzuki and Dvorak are guaranteed a spot in my eyes, and Martin St-Louis will juggle the other three to find combinations that work on the ice.

The possibility of D-Vo being traded this summer has been discussed in recent weeks… to the point whereElliotte Friedman suggested in the last few days that the player's name was “one to watch” regarding a possible transaction.

The fact that he's injured at the moment may explain why he hasn't changed his address, but there's also a world out there where Kent Hughes wants to keep him in his line-up. After all, Dvorak is relatively good in the face-off circle…

And with the efficiency rates of Dach, Newhook and even Suzuki last year, the Habs need a guy who's responsible and efficient in the faceoffs.

The point was made by Grant McCagg earlier today. And taking a step back, we realize how true it is.

He fills a chair that the team's young centers aren't yet capable of filling:

Christian Dvorak isn't a 60-point player and he isn't a spectacular player on the ice.

But the fact remains the same. He's good at what he does and fulfills his role as it should be.

Without making too much noise, he could prove important in the development of the young players mentioned above.

Here again…

He's not the one who's going to change everything, and he's not the one who's going to take the team to the playoffs alone. But, at $4.45 million for two more seasons, the Habs might want to keep him around to take some pressure off Suzuki, Newhook and Dach.

In gusto

– Simply magnificent.

– Nicolas Beaudin wants to make the club next year.

– Oops.

– I'd go with the Avalanche, Stars and Hurricanes. Would you?

Thoughts?🤔 pic.twitter.com/nI1M18JciJ

– BarDown (@BarDown) July 13, 2023

– It's perfectly normal.