The Montreal Canadiens are at a crucial juncture in their rebuild, and decisions made now will reverberate for years to come. One player whose future with the team is a frequent topic of debate is Kirby Dach. While some might be ready to move on from the young forward, giving up on him would be a significant mistake.
Dach's career has been marked by flashes of brilliance interspersed with frustrating injuries. Drafted third overall in 2019, he arrived in Montreal with high expectations after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks. His size, skating ability, and playmaking skills tantalized fans and management alike, painting a picture of a potential top-line center. In his first season with the Canadiens in 2022-23, Dach showed promise, posting a career-high 38 points in 58 games. However, injuries have consistently hampered his development, preventing him from reaching his full potential. A significant knee injury sidelined him for almost the entire 2024-2025 season, and other ailments have caused him to miss considerable time throughout his career.
Despite these setbacks, there are several compelling reasons why the Canadiens should remain patient with Dach. First and foremost, he possesses a rare combination of size and skill that is difficult to find. At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Dach has the physical tools to dominate the game. When healthy and confident, he can use his size to protect the puck, win battles along the boards, and create space for himself and his teammates. Moreover, he has excellent vision and passing ability, making him a valuable asset on the power play and in the offensive zone.
Furthermore, Dach is still relatively young. At 24 years old, he has plenty of time to develop and refine his game. It's easy to forget that players develop at different rates, and some require more time to adjust to the NHL than others. Given his potential, the Canadiens can afford to be patient and provide him with the necessary support to reach his ceiling. The Canadiens have invested significant assets to acquire Dach, trading Alexander Romanov and draft picks to get him. It would be imprudent to give up on him now, especially when he has shown flashes of the potential that made him a top draft pick.
Of course, there are legitimate concerns about Dach's durability and consistency. His injury history is a major red flag, and he needs to prove that he can stay healthy for an extended period. He also needs to improve his consistency and become a more reliable player in all three zones. However, these are not insurmountable challenges. With proper training, rehabilitation, and a supportive environment, Dach can overcome these obstacles and become a valuable contributor to the Canadiens.
The Canadiens have two major areas to address during the current offseason: right defence and second-line center. Dach could be a dark-horse option for the second-line center position, after another frustrating injury setback cost him some essential development time. 2025-2026 also happens to be the final year of his current deal, so he has all the motivation in the world to perform.
In conclusion, while it may be tempting to cut ties with Kirby Dach, the Canadiens would be making a mistake by giving up on him. He has the potential to be a special player, and the team has already invested significant resources in his development. With patience, support, and a bit of luck on the injury front, Dach can still become a key contributor to the Canadiens' success.
