The Montreal Canadiens are playing at a level that many would have been disappointed with, if they were told about it before the season started.
Generally speaking, a shakeup is likely the thing most needed for the Habs, and I think it goes beyond just swapping lines around. I'm talking about sending players through waivers down to Laval and calling up some younger players, who are willing to run through a wall for the team. Often times veteran players become complacent and expect that they will get the lion's share of ice time, simply because of their resume.
I can't confirm or deny whether that is the case with Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak, but at this juncture, other than Brendan Gallagher and Jake Evans, the veteran guys aren't doing a whole lot of inspiring things. This leaves an awfully heavy workload for the younger guys, which is fine and all, but if the entire roster is performing it makes it difficult to have any positives piling up.
Here's the deal. Some players in Laval are playing well. Some players in Montreal are going through the motions. I would send down Dvorak and Armia and call up Roy and Tuch. If one or both get claimed....fine. They need a shakeup.
— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) November 2, 2024
As Grant McCagg mentioned, and I tend to agree with him, there is a chance that one or both players get claimed, which would possibly be less ideal for the Habs. But if that does happen and Luke Tuch and Joshua Roy don't work out in Montreal right now, there are also options via waivers. I also think that having Dvorak and Armia off the roster would be a positive thing, especially if you consider that neither of them are likely to demand much by way of a return at the NHL trade deadline.
So how about it?
Tuch is merely 9 games into his professional hockey career, but he plays a heavy, mature game that I think would translate well to the fourth line. This would also provide the Canadiens with a centre option since Dvorak will be out of the equation. With Tuch on his entry-level deal, this will be helpful against the cap for Kent Hughes.
As for Roy, he is also a cheaper option, but one that should and could provide the Habs with some offensive firepower. The nice thing with Roy, when he is at his best is that he is no one-trick pony, but a smart, heady two-way player. I mentioned in a previous article that Roy is best suited in a top-six role so that limits the possibility of a move happening, but I think that he has the capabilities of playing on one of the top two lines, so long as he invests himself.
I have believed for a while that the Dvorak acquisition was a disastrous move made out of desperation, because Jesperi Kotkaniemi departed from the organization. So, getting rid of him, even if it's only briefly would be a fine piece of work by Hughes. And for Tuch to get a taste of NHL action, I think his game translates perfectly in a fourth-line checking role.