C Kirby Dach (2019, 3rd, CHI)
- Thread starter SmartPuck
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud is doing server maintenance Thurdsay 13th at 9 AM GMT. Downtime is to be expected during the process. Server changes were implemented recently to cope with the traffic surge last week. This seems to be affecting the user login, so please anyone experiencing this, log out and clear the browser cache. We expect to have this issue solved once the maintenance is complete.
landy92mack29
Registered User
Yeah he needs 1 more year in Saskatoon but would be ready after that and he'll be a C in the NHL. I agree with Cozens and I wouldn't mind him but think he's more a winger. Weird how people think Cozens is the C lock when he's played a fair amount of RW this year while Dach has only played C in league play.
I'm not the biggest Turcotte fan at 4(if it was 8ish I'd be more than happy with him) as I don't see a massive upside but more a ROR type which is still a great player just not on a Dach/Byram level.
avsfan09
Registered User
Alot of people push the idea that he won't be able to handle center due to his skating. Ironically the same people also have said that you can get away with lesser skating if you have Size...
His skating isn't bad anyways and I think it has alot of room to grow. Its quite fluid and he's beaten quite a few guys on speed alone in the playoffs.
avsfan09
Registered User
avsfan09
Registered User
Thanks for your input. You have a long track record of getting things right and being reasonable...
Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
avsfan09
Registered User
That's what I was saying
I especially found your comment about him only play 3/80 games well to be enlightening. That seems quite concerning
newfy
Registered User
- Jul 28, 2010
- 15,293
- 9,407
Anybody who didnt question his compete didnt see him in the regular season. In the 4 games ive seen hes been great for 3, and definitely didnt look engaged in one. Just because hes turned it up for the playoffs doesnt mean the concerns werent legitimate. Hes 6'4 and ridiculously skilled, if you cant question his skating or compete, why isnt he unanimously ranked top 3? And not just on here, but by a lot of scouting services? Hes obviously a perfect prospect in your eyes, what is everyone else missing?
Mind you, I've grown to like him more but dont question if I've watched when I comment on here. @asa , did you wach at all in the regular season or are you just trying to sound smatr now that hes had some games on TV where hes played really well?
newfy
Registered User
- Jul 28, 2010
- 15,293
- 9,407
Perfect, so youre a Blades super fan likely and unable to evaluate him without bias likely. What are his weaknesses if you dont think his compete level is one? Like I said, if hes 6'4, a great skater, super skilled and always going 100%, why is he not up there with Hughes and Kakko? Or even right below them to most people at this point?
Hes one of 2 or 3 guys I'm hoping for when the wings pick but I'm not going to pretend he doesnt have any issues with his game. I also think that a lot of young players struggle with compete level a bit and that its something a lot of players grow out of, he might be doing that right now as well.
His compete level is not bad. He drifts away from the puck to gain speed so when his team gains possession he can attack at full speed. A lot of skilled players do that in the NHL. Since he's a center, it might not be the most responsible play, but it works in junior so he does that. Dach is misunderstood, he doesn't play soft, and when he gets into puck battles, he battles hard. That shows me that his compete level is fine, he is just a little irresponsible at the junior level.
He cheats defensively, but it's junior who really cares. His skill level is top 5 in the draft, and his size is rare. That potential is enough reason to take him top 5. His interviews tells me that he lives and breathes hockey like a Mark Scheifiele. Those guys usually have no problem improving any problems in their games which reassures me about his "weaknesses".
I actually didnt even mention his skating. He isn't the strongest skater--something Hughes and Kakko both have over him. Dach's skating isn't an issue, just isnt good enough to put him into the conversion of the top 2.
I was replying to the comments on his compete level, which is Elite. You probably cant get a good judgment on this based on the 3.5 minutes of YouTube videos you have watched.
newfy
Registered User
- Jul 28, 2010
- 15,293
- 9,407
I think when people talk about compete level its more about his pace of play then his ability to win battles for the puck. I know last night at the end of the game he held the puck down low for a good 20 seconds while he was defending an empty net. What youre describing is exactly what I'm talking about though other wise in at least one of the games I saw. Hes drifting around at times and its something he can get away with in junior. But its this type of play that can separate the absolute elite player from the really good. I'm not sure how much you've seen him play but he played like that in one of the 4 games I've watched now. He cheats defensively, you can say who cares, but once again thats the stuff that separates the best of he best.
In other words, youre agreeing with me. He has some warts to his game and isnt a perfect prospect but his skill level is through the roof. I think he'll likely go close to the top 5 and wont fall much past it if he does.
You've made your point Mrs. Dach. If we say your kid has any flaws youre gonna put us in our place. Sorry hes not the next Gretzky but he's likely going to be very good. Get over it
King'sPawn
Enjoy the chaos
- Jul 1, 2003
- 23,281
- 24,412
He reminds me a bit of Kopitar where he lets the play come to him as opposed to using his size to bully and drive/force the play (not saying he never drives the play, but that's one of the bigger criticisms of him).
Also even though he has a great shot, he is more prone to passing and giving it to a teammate.
I'd still be happy if the Kings took him at 5.
Also even though he has a great shot, he is more prone to passing and giving it to a teammate.
I'd still be happy if the Kings took him at 5.
Dump and Chase Demon
Registered User
Peasy
Registered User
No. Strome could never skate like Dach does.
Last edited:
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
The reason why he's not unanimously three is because Byram is doing great things as a D man and some people still have a bias for Cozens based on the u 18 where he was playing his natural position (and Krebs was playing C on Kirby's line for no good reason)
There's also the fact that when you play the game how Kirby does it doesn't come off as in your face like when Cozens uses his speed and power. But there's IQ concerns with Cozens that Dach does not have.
There's also the fact that when you play the game how Kirby does it doesn't come off as in your face like when Cozens uses his speed and power. But there's IQ concerns with Cozens that Dach does not have.
Nihiliste
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2010
- 11,511
- 4,732
This is a weird argument, he’s 4 on McKenzie’s list. Having scouts like 3 people better than you doesn’t seem like much of a knock. I’ve only seen him at the U18s and these last couple of playoff games so I’ll refrain from commenting, just thought that was an odd approach.
avsfan09
Registered User
I was thinking that watching him the other night. Even plays like him defensively. Looks nonchalant than just reaches his stick out and blocks a pass and prevents scoring chances.
avsfan09
Registered User
Exactly. Its more of a reflection of the guys at the top rather than a knock on his potential.
HockeyDBspecialist
Habs 2019 cup champ
I am not sure when this went from me commenting that questioning his compete level was unwarranted, to you accusing me of calling him the next Gretzky without a flaw in his game.
I havent even commented on any other part of his game.
He definitely has the potential. Everyone wants that big right shot center. There are some holes in his game for sure but he wouldn't be the first big center that people thought had holes in their game and then rounded themselves out into bigtime 1C's. Guys like Getzlaf, Kopitar and Scheifele were all big boys thought to have a lot to work on, on draft day, and went on to become elite centers in the NHL. Of course there are plenty that flamed out as well but Dach has a good package of skills and if he works hard he can be an absolute terror to play against in a few years.
Zaddy
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2013
- 13,062
- 5,859
It's interesting to hear Blades fans question his compete level. I'm not gonna pretend I've seen Dach nearly as much as those guys, but I also know that there are/was/have been a good contingent of Oilers fans who call Leon Draisaitl lazy. In fact it was a huge narrative among certain posters early on in the season (and in previous seasons too). But the guy put up 50 goals and 105 points this year, so if that's what he gets being lazy...
I think there's just a disconnect for some people when it comes to watching and evaluating these big and highly cerebral hockey players who let the game come to them rather than chasing the puck around. Just because you don't play like an energy guy doesn't mean you're lazy or lack in compete level. It's just the style of play these guys have that may make it look like they don't care on some nights, when it's not really true, or at the very least not nearly as big of an issue as some make it out to be.
I think there's just a disconnect for some people when it comes to watching and evaluating these big and highly cerebral hockey players who let the game come to them rather than chasing the puck around. Just because you don't play like an energy guy doesn't mean you're lazy or lack in compete level. It's just the style of play these guys have that may make it look like they don't care on some nights, when it's not really true, or at the very least not nearly as big of an issue as some make it out to be.
It's more about his game-to-game consistency. Some times he looks like he's the best player in this draft and then he vanishes for a few games. If he puts it all together he could easily be the best player. There is a boom/bust factor to his game. It's just the bust factor is pretty high still. Even if he doesn't put it together he's still a massive right handed centerman who has a tonne of skill but is just not consistent enough to be a 1C. He may fall into the middle 6 category of good but just not good enough. On the reverse if he works on some of his flaws and rounds out his game you have a Joe Thornton-esque centerman with all the right tools to be an franchise centerman in the NHL. If he puts up 90+ this year while playing like he is capable of more consistently we are probably talking about him as a lock for #3 and potentially challenging for a higher spot. If he puts up 100+ while doing that he could have been in the conversation for the top 2 pretty easily.
