Canadiens Urged To Move $26 Million Forward After Patrick Laine Trade

Following the recent acquisition of Patrik Laine via trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL analyst Ryan Szporer of The Hockey Writers has weighed in on the Montreal Canadiens' short-term future.

The Canadiens reporter thinks the Habs should trade Christian Dvorak if they want to balance the roster while managing the salary cap effectively.

Spozer highlighted how Laine’s arrival only adds to the Canadiens’ existing logjam at forward, particularly concerning Dvorak’s role and future with the team given his role and production in Montreal.

"Ultimately, acquiring a top-six forward like Laine is a luxury," Spozer wrote. "In contrast, losing a forward had been an offseason priority before.

"Now, without a forward having gone back to the Jackets, it’s much more of one. It’s actually the only remaining one."

Szporer suggests that while trading fellow forward Josh Anderson might have been ideal, Dvorak is the more likely candidate to be moved in a potential trade.

Anderson scored 9 goals and 20 points last season and he carries a hefty $5.5 million cap hit in 2024-25. Dvorak, on the other hand, would come at a cheaper $4.45 cap hit (while on the final year of a $26.7 million contract), per PuckPedia ) for whoever trades for him, making him an easier asset to move.

"All 31 other GMs have eyes. They see Anderson has been struggling. They’re unlikely to take on a costly player with such limited dimensions to his offensive game," Szporer wrote. "Seeing as [Dvorak] is simply more marketable than Anderson as a faceoff-capable centre with one year left under contract, he’s the logical odd man out here."

As things stand, the Canadiens have 14 forwards under contract entering next season and are $2 million over the cap.

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