Christian Dvorak Addresses The Need For A Faceoff Specialist

Christian Dvorak doesn't have a flashy game, but he’s defensively sound and can win faceoffs. That’s exactly what the Minnesota Wild need to help take the load off Joel Eriksson Ek. 

Eriksson Ek can likely rebound and score 70 points or more with the right players around him. Dvorak is a better offensive player than Yakov Trenin, who the Wild can slot as their fourth-line center, and move Trenin back to wing. 

Still, Dvorak will get more ice time than Trenin because the Wild must win faceoffs if the team is down by a goal or two late in the game. They could also use Dvorak like a closer in baseball. Hynes could deploy him against players like Nathan MacKinnon to win faceoffs when there's an empty net. Dvorak will win the faceoffs and keep the puck in Colorado’s zone. 

Dvorak can be an effective 200-foot player when he's playing with talented wingers. So if there are injuries, he could play a middle-six role like Freddy Gaudreau. If needed, he could be the Wild’s center on the second power-play unit, where he will win faceoffs and be a net-front presence. Dvorak has won 53.1% of his faceoffs in his nine-year career and can play in all situations.

If the Wild want more skill on their second power play unit, they can have Dvorak win faceoffs and go to the bench while Mats Zuccarello returns on the ice to help quarterback the power play. That would allow Danila Yurov to be a net-front presence instead of the bumper. 

Ryan Hartman emerged as a secondary scorer in the playoffs, but he's never been dominant in the faceoff circle. The 2019-20 season was the last time Hartman finished over 50% (54.6%). The Wild should move Hartman back to the wing unless they really need a center. 

If the Wild want to use Hartman as a true scoring forward, they can play him in on Zucarello’s line. Hartman brings more offense than Dvorak. Hartman’s the better linemate to complement Zuccarello’s playmaking. Having Dvorak center the fourth line instead of Trenin sets the Wild up for faceoff success. By playing with Marcus Foligno and Trenin, Dvorak will still form a defensively sound, physical line. 

Do you know who else can learn from Dvorak on how to win faceoffs? Danila Yurov.

Yurov must be good in the faceoff circle to be a successful NHL center. This year, he won 47.3% faceoffs in the regular season and 45.2% in the playoffs for Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL). Having a mentor like Dvorak can help Yurov become a 50% faceoff center to start his career. That would set Yurov up to take over for Marco Rossi, who won 45.8% of his draws. 

Dvorak won't be getting a raise anytime soon. If anything, the Wild can sign him around what Freddy Gaudreau ($2.1 million) is making. Dvorak will likely get a contract for one to two years, ranging from $1.2 million to $2 million. Dvorak knows what role he serves on a Cup contender. Like Jonas Brodin on the blueline, he will make a difference quietly. 

The Wild could keep Gaudreau, but Dvorak is an upgrade in the faceoff circle. Gaudreau has a career 49.3 FO%. He and Marcus Johansson are the most expendable out of the bottom-six, but the Wild just signed Johansson, so they aren't trading him. Gaudreau is the odd man out. 

Minnesota should add Dvorak, who isn't a significant part of the team but serves an underrated role. The Wild are ready to show the NHL why they're a better contender in 2025-26. Guerin should feel better about his forward group. While the departure of Rossi hurts, as he deserves an extension, the team needed a center who can win faceoffs in Dvorak.