Christian Dvorak sends strong message to Kent Hughes just before the trade deadline

With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, Kent Hughes will have his hands full leading up to March 7.

Among the players Hughes is likely to shop is Christian Dvorak, who will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. As reported by DansLesCoulisses, he is very likely on his way out of Montreal.

According to La Presse journalist Richard Labbe, negotiations for a new contract are at a standstill, and the chances of the American forward leaving the Canadiens are quite high.

It feels like the end for Christian Dvorak in Montreal

His qualities as a defensive center and his excellence in the faceoff circle make him an excellent candidate for a team looking to add depth ahead of the playoffs.

However, the player himself has still left the door open for a potential return to the Canadiens in 2025-26 as an unrestricted free agent.

"I would definitely like to stay. I like the guys on this team, I like playing here, and I wouldn't be against the idea of coming back to play in Montreal after this season. It's an honor to wear this team's jersey. We'll see what happens," Dvorak said, per Labbe.

That being said, it would be quite surprising to see the 29-year-old forward return to the Canadiens next season, as the organization will likely want to make room for younger players in the lineup.

Names like Owen Beck, Joshua Roy, and, of course, Ivan Demidov come to mind.

Now, it remains to be seen what Kent Hughes could get in return for a player who has not lived up to expectations since Marc Bergevin acquired him in 2021.