Denis Gauthier is against trading Christian Dvorak, and his reasons are relevant

Christian Dvorak's performance during the camp games has given Martin St-Louis plenty to be happy about. Wearing number 28, Dvorak has been one of the most visible forwards on the ice. However, the decisions will be tough for the Habs' coach, especially with the strong showings from players like Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck.

Considering Oliver Kapanen's very impressive performances at this 2024 training camp, it might be tempting to offload Christian Dvorak's hefty contract to a team like the Los Angeles Kings (who are specifically looking for a third-line center). However, RDS analyst Denis Gauthier isn't keen on the idea, and his reasons are quite relevant.

During his appearance on BPM Sports, Gauthier defended both Christian Dvorak and Jake Evans. These two players are often mentioned as potential trade candidates to make room for young talent within the organization.

With a nuanced perspective, Denis Gauthier acknowledged that everything also depends on the offer on the table. Nevertheless, he's curious to learn more about the rumors. He admitted that getting rid of a veteran like Dvorak might not be ideal for a GM's reputation. The return must have significant value, as losing the respect of the locker room is a risk.

This is a very wise stance, and Gauthier brings up excellent points. Such comments help better understand the importance of having experience in the NHL and grasping the environment in which a general manager operates. Denis Gauthier clearly gets it.

At 21 years old, Oliver Kapanen was selected in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In 51 games in the SM-Liiga last season, he accumulated 34 points. During the playoffs, he was brilliant, tallying 14 points in 13 games.

On the other hand, Christian Dvorak is 28 years old. He has been plagued by injuries in recent years, making it difficult to see his full potential as he reaches a more mature age. The Canadiens forward is in the final year of his contract. Dvorak, too, was a second-round pick, but in 2014. He scored 9 points in 30 games last season in the NHL.

This is a situation to keep an eye on as the regular season approaches. At the same time, Kent Hughes could clear a $4.45 million average annual salary for the 2024-2025 season. This extra cap space would be helpful as the trade deadline approaches. If the Canadiens find themselves in the playoff mix, as they intend to, they could be buyers rather than sellers, which means they'll need to create some space under the salary cap.