The year is 2021, and the Arizona Coyotes are having a bad time. To be fair, the Coyotes have spent close to three decades in a near-permanent state of struggle. But the summer of 2021 brings a familiar story: a team that can’t afford its own talent. This time, the player in question is Christian Dvorak—a homegrown forward with a $4.45 million contract that the team simply can’t manage.
Dvorak isn’t just another name on the trade block. In fact, he’s generating significant buzz across the league. Some see him as the solution for Boston’s looming loss of David Krejci to Europe. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman calls him “a physical banging centre who can get points. Those guys are hard to find.” By the end of the summer, Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong has no fewer than nine teams clamouring to land Dvorak.
Then everything changes.
The Carolina Hurricanes throw a wrench into the market by offer-sheeting Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Canadiens decline to match, and within days, Montreal flips some of their newfound assets to Arizona for Dvorak. The Habs, desperate to replace the departed Phillip Danault and the potential of Kotkaniemi, hope Dvorak will fill the void.
Fast-forward three years, and the trade now stands as one of the more regrettable moves of Marc Bergevin’s tenure. Dvorak, once seen as a coveted top-six centre, has largely underwhelmed in Montreal and has the lowest average ice time of their four middlemen. At times, his indifferent play has sparked memories of another underperforming “over six-footer” who failed to make an impact in the bleu, blanc, et rouge: Trevor Linden.
A Familiar Struggle: The Trevor Linden trauma
Linden’s story in Montreal was different but still painful. After a successful career in Vancouver—including a 70-point season and a deep playoff run—he was unceremoniously moved following the arrival of Mark Messier. When Montreal acquired him, the expectations were high. But his tenure was marked by inconsistency, injuries, and a perceived lack of engagement.
Dvorak’s stint has unfolded similarly. Injuries, including knee and pectoral surgeries, have derailed his momentum. And while Linden was eventually flipped in a trade that brought Richard Zednik and Jan Bulis—players who left a lasting impact on the team—it’s hard to see Dvorak fetching a comparable return. With his contract nearing its end, it’s more likely that he’ll quietly walk into free agency.
Why Didn’t It Work?
So, how did it get to this? Was it the injuries? A coaching staff unsure of how to maximize his skills? Unrealistic expectations as a replacement for Danault, fresh off a legendary playoff run?
The answer lies somewhere in between. A key factor is tempo.
The Canadiens’ evolving identity as an uptempo, offensively dynamic team clashes with Dvorak’s skill set. Unlike Danault—who thrived alongside reliable linemates like Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar—Dvorak was rarely given the same level of consistency. When healthy, he was often relegated to the penalty kill or defensive assignments, never quite finding a complementary fit.
In contrast, younger players like Kirby Dach have been afforded patience and opportunities to adapt. But Dvorak, at 28 years old, no longer fits the mould of a team leaning into speed and skill as its blueprint for the future.
A Final Assessment
To label Dvorak as a case of “diminished returns” feels harsh, but it’s a fair reflection of his time in Montreal. His indifferent play and struggles with tempo highlight a fundamental mismatch between player and system.
However, his story also serves as a reminder of the Canadiens’ brighter days ahead. The franchise is transitioning toward becoming a high-tempo scoring juggernaut. With young talents like Dach, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield leading the way, the Habs are poised for a future where every piece fits.
Dvorak, for all his challenges, was a symptom of a transitional period—one where the Canadiens learned valuable lessons about how to build their identity. As his tenure in Montreal likely winds down, fans can take solace in the fact that the foundation for greatness is being laid.
Fun Trivia: Christian Dvorak
• Dvorak was drafted 58th overall by the Coyotes in 2014. He was part of a stacked London Knights team in junior hockey, playing alongside Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk. The trio dominated the OHL and won the Memorial Cup in 2016.
• Despite his struggles in Montreal, Dvorak has always been known for his elite faceoff ability. His career faceoff percentage has consistently been above 50%, making him a valuable asset on the dot.
• One of his best NHL seasons came in 2019-20, when he scored 18 goals and 38 points in 70 games. It remains a career-high, showcasing the potential that once had nine teams vying for his services. Oy vey, right ?