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Top 2 Montreal Canadiens players that should be traded this offseason

The Canadiens could be aiming to contend in 2024-25, but they could trade some roster players.

By Nate Duffett |
Detroit Red Wings v Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings v Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages
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Some argue the Canadiens should hold their veterans to contend for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canadiens acquired Patrik Laine to improve their chances, but they may have him for only two seasons if the parties don't agree on a contract. It wouldn't make much sense for Montreal to acquire a player making $8.7 million and continue rebuilding for the next two seasons until his contract runs out. However, Kent Hughes has commented that it may not be over for his moves this offseason, and three candidates stick out.

David Savard

Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

David Savard is a name that stands out as a player the Canadiens should be on the fence about trading. He is a right-shot defenseman all teams are looking for, combining defense and a small portion of offense. Savard is the perfect player for a team trying to contend and would be a massive piece if the Canadiens pull off the improbable. Savard came after beating them in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals and believed he was joining a contender. However, we all know what happened next. The 2024-25 season is likely Savard's last, and it'd be a perfect end for him to play a playoff game in the Bell Centre.

On the other hand, Savard is the player everyone needs on their team and would fetch a massive haul from the acquiring team. The Canadiens have no guarantees that they'll be a contending team, and some assets acquired for Savard could put them in a better position to win a Stanley Cup in five years instead of only contending for a playoff spot in 2024-25.

Christian Dvorak

Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Unfortunately, the Christian Dvorak experiment hasn't worked in Montreal. The Canadiens acquired him to give him a fresh start and he hasn't been able to turn his career around. Dvorak's contract will be off the books next season, but the Canadiens could use the $4.45 million cap hit if they are trying to be a contender.

Dvorak doesn't have a deserving spot in the lineup. The top two centers will be Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach/Alex Newhook. There's a belief that Dach and Newhook will play together on the second line with Patrik Laine, but the Canadiens could move Joshua Roy there to add depth down the lineup. That move would put Newhook as the third-line center, leaving Dvorak to play the middle on the fourth. The problem is that Dvorak doesn't have the skill set to be a fourth-line center, and Jake Evans would be the better fit.

That leaves Dvorak to play a fourth-line wing role or sit in the rafters as the healthy scratch. $4.45 million is too much to fill this role, and the Canadiens should find a way to move the contract.

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