Re-Evaluating the Christian Dvorak Signing

I will be one of the first people to tell you that I like Christian Dvorak as a player, and really love his game. However, I absolutely hated the signing. In a year where it looked like a few moves could put the Flyers in the playoffs, I was rather peeved seeing the team shell out $5.4 million for a fourth-line center, even if it was only a one-year deal.

I am still not too thrilled about the AAV, but something opened my eyes.

Yesterday, someone left a question under the mailbag post that made me rethink the Christian Dvorak signing, and I see it in a whole new light now.

The question asked: “Have you considered the Christian Dvorak signing was done to acquire another 1st round pick at the TDL?”

Of course, I could have waited and included this in the mailbag story. Personally, I thought this deserved a little more than 200 words. So, I decided to give it its own story.

Now, let’s re-evaluate the Dvorak signing.

Re-Evaluating Christian Dvorak’s Contract

Pretty much the entire reason that I was unhappy with the contract was the salary. I really don’t like the idea of paying a 4C $5M+. The commenter made a good point when referencing that Dvorak was previously on a six-year, $4.45M AAV contract. His new deal is just a less than a million-dollar raise.

So, putting things into perspective, especially with the rising cap, that is not a tragic overpay.

Dvorak is a guy who, when he plays most of a season, flutters around 30 points a year. If the Flyers can find a way to get 30 points from their 4C, I’d call that a win.

However, with the minutes expected from that bottom line, unless Dvorak moves up the lineup, I don’t see him getting there.

I do believe he earns his pay from other skills, not particularly his scoring.

Dvorak is a lot like Noah Cates in that he is a complete 200-foot player. He can produce offence in one zone, he is solid in the neutral zone, and can lock down in the defensive zone. If Dvorak and Cates play together, they will be a legitimate defensive threat.

Not only is Dvorak a solid two-way forward, but he is also a great penalty kill guy and can win faceoffs. In fact, Dvorak has been dominant at the dot, which is something the Flyers very much could use help with.

Those are all traits contending teams covet at the deadline, which leads to the next point.

Could the Flyers Flip Dvorak?

There is no doubt in my mind that Plan A with Christian Dvorak is to keep him and try to win. However, let’s say that does not work out, and the Flyers are trending towards a high lottery pick once again. They become sellers at the trade deadline, and all of a sudden, Christian Dvorak could become a coveted asset.

As our commenter who sparked this thought pointed out, Dvorak is just a better version of Scott Laughton.

Now, I will say, in my opinion anyway, Laughton has been better than Dvorak in pretty much every area, other than the dot. Dvorak may have a slight edge in defensive ability, but Laughton was given a better opportunity to produce. Regardless, the Flyers landed a B-prospect and a first-round pick in return for Laughton in a trade.

The two players do a lot of similar things. Plus, with more opportunity, maybe Dvorak could produce career-high numbers. So, imagine what they could get for Dvorak if they moved him at the deadline.

If the salary does make it hard to trade him, the Flyers still do have one retention slot open, which could boost the return on Dvorak.

Now, I am not insinuating that the Flyers signed him just to trade him, but it certainly makes it easier to stomach the salary.

With this in mind, have your opinions changed on the Christian Dvorak signing?

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Re-Evaluating the Christian Dvorak Signing

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