One of the holes the Flyers had to address this offseason was center. Just minutes into free agency, they had at least found a short-term solution.

Christian Dvorak signed with the Flyers on a one-year, $5.4 million deal.

Dvorak has had mixed results in the NHL, some successful seasons and some years marred by injury and struggles. After playing just 30 games in 2023-24, his 2024-25 season produced 12 goals and 33 points. It was his highest point total since he had 33 in 2021-22, his first season in Montreal. It was his highest goal total since he had 17 in the 2020-21 season, his final season in Arizona, playing for new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet.

Dvorak credited Tocchet as a big reason why he chose the Flyers.

“That certainly helps being familiar with Tocc and the way he coaches,” Dvorak said on Thursday in a Zoom press conference. “He helped me out a lot in Arizona as a young guy and we had a really young team there too. He was really good with us and I know he’s going to be great with the young guys in Philly. That helps a lot to know the way he coaches and, talking to him, I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for me and I’m really excited for it.”

Tocchet has widely been known as a player’s coach, someone who communicates well with his players and uses that to get the most out of them. Dvorak is certainly a product of that, having his two most productive seasons in points under Tocchet. 

“He’s big on communication, which is huge,” Dvorak said. “He always has an open-door policy which is nice. Loves talking to everyone on the team and knowing what they’re thinking. Always a well-structured coach. Everyone knows where they need to be out there. Offensively, he gives you some freedom too. I think all of those factors help a lot and I think that’s why I’ve had some successful years under him.” 

Dvorak had plenty of options in his first venture into free agency, but ultimately looked at the opportunity in front of him to continue to build on a strong finish to the 2024-25 season when choosing Philadelphia as his new home.

“There was options out there,” Dvorak said. “It’s a pretty stressful day, first time being a free agent, so you never really know what it’s going to be like. Things kind of happened fast, but to ultimately end up picking Philly, I thought they showed a lot of interest in me. It felt like they wanted me a lot. It’s always nice to feel that. 

“I think there’s a good fit for me, a lot of opportunity. I think just trying to take my game to the next level and have an even better season than last year is something I want to do and I think I could do that in Philly.”

Dvorak doesn’t know what his exact role will be, but is an all-situations player who can serve as further depth for the center position.

“There’s a big opportunity that they’re a little bit thin down the middle,” Dvorak said. “It felt like a great fit for me, a guy that can play a 200-foot game, play in all situations, win face-offs. I think it’s a great opportunity for me and that’s the role I’m expecting.”

Dvorak was on an upstart Montreal Canadiens team last season that surprised many by making the playoffs. Once in their own long-term rebuild, the pieces are falling into place for the Canadiens to get even better. Dvorak sees similarities in the Flyers to where the Canadiens were a year ago, and has hope that they can take the next step as well.

“I think the similarities are how young both teams are,” Dvorak said. “Sometimes it takes a little time when you’re that young. In Montreal, we started a bit slow. Everyone probably counted us out and thought we were going to be sellers at the trade deadline, but we got hot the second half of the year, kept everyone together, and made a nice run there. That was a lot of fun, and I think we could do something similar in Philly this year.”

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.

Philadelphia Flyers Uniforms Through The Years