Assessing Marc Bergevin’s Legacy with the Montreal Canadiens: A Tale of Trades and Missed Opportunities

Marc Bergevin, the former General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, has been a contentious figure among fans and analysts alike. His tenure was marked by a mixture of strategic trades, missed opportunities, and questionable draft choices. Despite criticisms, there were certain transactions that stood out, including the acquisition of Christian Dvorak from the Arizona Coyotes.

Christian Dvorak’s journey to the Canadiens began with his draft by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round, 58th overall, in 2014. This pick was secured from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Mathieu Brisebois and David Rundblad, the latter once being traded for the pick that materialized into Vladimir Tarasenko. Dvorak’s early career saw impressive performances with the London Knights in junior hockey, amassing 41 goals and 109 points in the 2014-15 season, followed by 52 goals and 121 points in the 2015-16 season.

Despite his junior success, Dvorak struggled to replicate this offensive prowess in the NHL while with the Coyotes, never surpassing 20 goals or 40 points in a season. His 2018-19 stint was cut short, restricting him to just 20 games due to an injury. Nevertheless, Dvorak developed a reputation for his defensive capabilities and proficiency in face-offs, albeit on a struggling Coyotes team.

In 2021, as the Coyotes embarked on another rebuilding phase, the Canadiens found themselves in need of bolstering their center depth after reaching the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The repercussions of this final run were significant, including injuries to key players such as Carey Price and Shea Weber, with Weber moving to the Coyotes/Utah Hockey Club subsequently.

During the offseason, the Canadiens also faced the challenge of contract negotiations with centers like Philip Danault and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Danault, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks, had transformed into a formidable shutdown center but was eventually signed by the Los Angeles Kings, as Montreal was unwilling to meet the market’s demands. Kotkaniemi, drafted third overall in 2018, became a restricted free agent and was eventually signed by the Carolina Hurricanes via an offer sheet, a move in retaliation for the Canadiens’ previous attempt to sign Sebastian Aho.

The Canadiens were then left with a void at center and acquired Dvorak from the Coyotes in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick, which became Filip Bystedt and Alfons Freij respectively. Bystedt’s pick was traded and eventually led to the selection of Connor Geekie, while Freij was ultimately drafted by the Winnipeg Jets following another transaction.

While initially seen as a strategic maneuver, Dvorak’s tenure with the Canadiens has been underwhelming. He has yet to complete a full season, with his highest output being 64 games played, 11 goals, and 33 points. This is below expectations, especially with rising talents like Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen, who could potentially surpass Dvorak this season.

Although Christian Dvorak’s future with the Canadiens remains uncertain, the team’s strategy and player evaluation continue to evolve, influenced by new rising prospects, showcasing the dynamic yet unpredictable nature of managing an NHL roster.