How Canadiens Benefit From Dvorak’s Early Return From Injury
One way to know for certain that Christian Dvorak will return in 2023-24 and that the Montreal Canadiens’ April Fool’s joke yesterday was genuine? If the Habs wanted to make a joke, a) they’d probably stay away from injury news, given their recent bad luck, and b) all due respect to Dvorak, but reports that he could play again this season don’t really move the needle in either direction for fans. In other words, they could find significantly better source material.
To be clear (and to correct any misconstrued, ill-advised attempt at humour here), no one should wish Dvorak harm or anything. It’s great that he’s on the mend and about to play again after tearing a pectoral muscle earlier this year, which was supposed to keep him out for the rest of the season. There is always a “but,” however. In the midst of a losing, non-playoff season, the Canadiens do not necessarily need him back. There are some advantages to him returning early. Here’s the top three:
3) Finish 2023-24 on a high.
In all honesty, Dvorak’s seven points in 25 games this season are unimpressive. However, every little bit counts, as the Canadiens face one of the toughest remaining schedules.
Logic would normally dictate that losses are more important than wins in order to improve NHL Draft Lottery odds at this point. However, the Canadiens are effectively locked into their current position in the standings, so they and their fans should hope they (continue to) play spoiler to finish the season on a high note. Plugging Dvorak back in would be the first domino, adding depth to the lineup, particularly down the middle, where there isn’t much beyond Nick Suzuki on the top line.
2) Give Anderson a proper centre.
In theory, Dvorak’s return could allow the Canadiens to move Alex Newhook back to the wing. However, with Newhook suddenly producing at the position (nine points in his last 15 games), after being placed
That would move Jake Evans to the fourth line, where he is better suited. It would also provide Anderson with the opportunity to play with Dvorak, which, based on the team’s most common forward lines, is about the only thing the Canadiens haven’t fully explored to try to jumpstart his production.
The goal here would be to give Anderson every (reasonable) opportunity to finish the season on a high note, pairing him with a more offensively inclined centre. Anderson has struggled this season, scoring only eight goals (18 points) in 69 games, producing at half the rate Canadiens fans expect. Given that he isn’t exactly going anywhere because of a cost-ineffective deal,
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