It became more and more clear and it is well and truly confirmed: the Canadian renounces his rights to goalkeeper Frederik Dichow, according to two sources close to the file consulted by La Presse.
The team holds its rights until June 1, which is Thursday. Without an NHL contract with CH before that date, he will therefore become a free agent.
Dichow, drafted in the 5th round (138th overall) in 2019, is a Dane who has been playing in Sweden since the Canadian claimed him. He spent the last season in Frölunda, in the Swedish first division, where he showed an 8-7-0 record, a 2.76 average and a .899 save percentage. He was the number two keeper behind veteran Lars Johansson.
This spring, Dichow represented Denmark at the World Championship. He went 3-2-0, 2.30 GAA and .911 save before being injured. Denmark ranked 10th.
As Dichow evolves in Europe, the Habs had four years to get along with him.
His case was sealed when Jakub Dobes signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens in March. In their last three drafts with CH, Marc Bergevin and Trevor Timmins have drafted one goaltender each year: Dichow, Dobes and Joe Vrbetic, who we’ll come back to. However, Dobes will probably occupy a position in Laval next fall, and the organization does not intend to start the season with two rookie goalies in the American League. In the event of an injury with the big club, a rookie would necessarily be recalled, and we want to avoid repeating the situation of recent years, when Cayden Primeau had to be recalled without necessarily being ready to make the jump.
The CH also believed it had to make a decision about Vrbetic, drafted in 2021. As the latter comes from Canadian junior hockey, everything indicated that the team had two years (so until June 1, 2023) to offer him a contract. .
But an obscure clause (the details of which we will spare you) in section 8.6 of the collective agreement means that the CH will finally hold its rights for four years, i.e. until 2025, as if it were playing in Europe or in the NCAA. The situation was discussed between the team and the agent this week.
That said, it would be surprising if he were part of the organization’s plans, at least in the medium term.
Selected in the 7th round (214th overall) in 2021, Vrbetic spent the majority of the season in the ECHL, with the Trois-Rivières Lions, in addition to appearing in four games with the Laval Rocket. The 6-foot-6 giant, however, was doing so under an American League contract.
Vrbetic went 14-12-0 in the capital of the pulp and paper industry, with a 4.05 GAA and .871 efficiency.
It now remains to be seen who Dobes will work with in Laval. Currently, Samuel Montembeault and Jake Allen occupy both positions in Montreal, but the number 3 of the organization, Primeau, must now go through waivers before being assigned to the American League. If Primeau is unable to carve out a position in camp, the team will run the risk of losing him for nothing.
The club will still be able to turn to the free agent market this summer to meet its needs in Laval.
