Kirby Dach - is there precedent for a happy ending?

[MXD]

So much of this Habs roster seems to depend on Kirby Dach being the player we all want him to be. I'm definitely in the camp of "his injuries aren't related - he can bounce back!" but it's got me wondering, is there any historical precedent for a young player going through this many injuries (3 of first 5 seasons derailed by major injury) and still turning into a top player / borderline all-star?

Jean Ratelle. (though he wasn't AS young)

And what is this '3rd major injury' you speak of..?

I think it goes :
- Last year
- The year before
- WJC

 

[Redux91]

Jean Ratelle. (though he wasn't AS young)


I think it goes :
- Last year
- The year before
- WJC

The year before? Played 60 games missed a bit of time with a concussion from the hit from behind vs Buffalo on his partial break, a cheap shot that could happen to anyone

He's had 2 major injuries, a broken wrist, and a torn ACL
Shit happens

 

[Scintillating10]

Jean Ratelle. (though he wasn't AS young)


I think it goes :
- Last year
- The year before
- WJC

Tore his MCL and ACL both if I remember right. Been a year, I may have it wrong

 

[the valiant effort]

A big positive we have to cling to here is his great stretch of play during the latter half of 2022-2023 (which carried right into 2023-2024 preseason and 4 periods…lol). To have that experience in his pocket while dealing with these horrible setbacks is much better than just trying to continue building on junior success, draft pedigree, and a good performance in the fake playoff bubble 4 years ago. I still wake up in a sweat every night fearful that he’ll never have luck with his health, but I am no longer doubting that he can be a PPG+ centre

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'm personally not worried about Dach one bit. He was performing better than Suzuki in preseason and in camp last year (before the injury) and Hughes said that as well.

The only thing I would be worried about is his term left and timing of when big contracts might have to be signed. Add Demidov, Hutson, Reinbacher to that list. Could snow ball on us if we rise up the standings with Dach's term left and most of our guys have better stats because we are a better team.

Hage is good insurance for Dach.... if Dach has more health issues or he shows signs of wanting to leave or asking for a contract that is too much.

 

[Scintillating10]

I'm personally not worried about Dach one bit. He was performing better than Suzuki in preseason and in camp last year (before the injury) and Hughes said that as well.

The only thing I would be worried about is his term left and timing of when big contracts might have to be signed. Add Demidov, Hutson, Reinbacher to that list. Could snow ball on us if we rise up the standings with Dach's term left and most of our guys have better stats because we are a better team.
Hage is good insurance for Dach.... if Dach has more health issues or he shows signs of wanting to leave or asking for a contract that is too much.

I'm going to be watching him in camp. Because Markov tore both MCL and ACL also. Never was same. Seemed a step slower. His could been age related though. Albeit His second year back Markov seemed a little faster than his first year back.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'm going to be watching him in camp. Because Markov tore both MCL and ACL also. Never was same. Seemed a step slower. His could been age related though. Albeit His second year back Markov seemed a little faster than his first year back.

I think he will be fine and he was skating pretty hard at the end of the season last year. However, we don't know for sure until we see the results.

The good news is we have talent for Dach to work with so maybe he will not feel the need to do to much on his own

 

[The Real Timo]

I don't know where to start with the happy ending stuff...

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Serge Savard. Who suffered two disastrous leg injuries and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. One could only imagine the heights he would have reached if he had avoided those injuries.

 

[Rob Sense]

Because the broken wrist and knee injury were on nothing plays. As opposed to, for example, Chara's cheap shot on Pacioretty where an injury was to be expected.

a 230 pound plus train called Tinordi just teeter-totering on his knee when dangling over the board is a nothing play? even his hit on the wrist was a fast moving play against stiff oponent.

 

[Rob Sense]

I'm going to be watching him in camp. Because Markov tore both MCL and ACL also. Never was same. Seemed a step slower. His could been age related though. Albeit His second year back Markov seemed a little faster than his first year back.

Markov had some of his best years after the knee surgery and played multiple full seasons.

 

[ahmedou]

We got the best doctors. DaCH will be in good hands.

Injuries are part of the game.

Will come back more stronger than ever!

 

[Rob Sense]

I wonder if many posters here worry about how the acid rain may affect the paint job on their car and leave in the garage versus those who just want to take it out for a great September ride on a winding road???...RELAX and let DACH play. I swear the main boards are more rational (i never thought i would see myself post that!!) than this nervous nellie social club. and FWIW I am a MD and have been in knee reconstruction surgeries so i have seen the secret sauce.

 

[Scintillating10]

I think he will be fine and he was skating pretty hard at the end of the season last year. However, we don't know for sure until we see the results.

The good news is we have talent for Dach to work with so maybe he will not feel the need to do to much on his own

How long will he last though? Had concussion his first camp, broke his wrist in WJC. His first year in Montreal had knee injury. Then last year he tore both MCL and ACL. Makes 5 years pro, 5 different injuries.

 

[Rob Sense]

How long will he last though? Had concussion his first camp, broke his wrist in WJC. His first year in Montreal had knee injury. Then last year he tore both MCL and ACL. Makes 5 years pro, 5 different injuries.

there was no injury to knee prior to Tinordi hit. maybe a psychic reading can help us predict how long his health will hold up. Allume des lampions!

 

[OneSharpMarble]

He's also 23, you can't write someone off that early.

 

[Naslundforever]

So much of this Habs roster seems to depend on Kirby Dach being the player we all want him to be. I'm definitely in the camp of "his injuries aren't related - he can bounce back!" but it's got me wondering, is there any historical precedent for a young player going through this many injuries (3 of first 5 seasons derailed by major injury) and still turning into a top player / borderline all-star?

As long as it’s not his knees or hands he injured he’ll be just fine.

 

[Habs13]

Sheldon Souray. I saw the scars on his wrists from multiple surgeries and they were bad... then, he starts blasting pucks at ungodly speeds.

 

[Knuckles30]

Sheldon Souray. I saw the scars on his wrists from multiple surgeries and they were bad... then, he starts blasting pucks at ungodly speeds.

That's a great comparable (not to mention one of my favourite players from that awful, awful era) - thanks!

 

[barbu]

Benoît Brunet!

 

[overlords]

Sheldon Souray. I saw the scars on his wrists from multiple surgeries and they were bad... then, he starts blasting pucks at ungodly speeds.

He was also blasting people in the face with that wrist brace. Complete legend.

 

[Scintillating10]

Benoît Brunet!

Brunet would been good player but injuries ruined his career. Young players seem like loss of development time hurts double. Then again Veteran, like a Monahan, didn't hurt the same. Smarts he did it with I imagine. Monahan was slow though. At times seemed worse than others. Same as Markov, Markov they could beat him to outside his first year back. His second year back seemed like he evolved, he wasn't as bad.

 

[BLONG7]

The year before? Played 60 games missed a bit of time with a concussion from the hit from behind vs Buffalo on his partial break, a cheap shot that could happen to anyone

He's had 2 major injuries, a broken wrist, and a torn ACL
Shit happens

Why guys want to blame the kid for these, I will never know........................he is a target because he is talented...........would be great to see him have some change in luck this year.
He will have to keep his head up, and play his game, and make sure he prepares himself to be a hunted player of sorts.......

Suzuki could give the kid some advice.....

 

[Habs13]

He was also blasting people in the face with that wrist brace. Complete legend.

Oh yes he was! Lol. They don't make 'em like Souray anymore.

Why guys want to blame the kid for these, I will never know........................he is a target because he is talented...........would be great to see him have some change in luck this year.
He will have to keep his head up, and play his game, and make sure he prepares himself to be a hunted player of sorts.......

Suzuki could give the kid some advice.....

I mean, none of his injuries came off of dirty plays. If anything, the reason for concern is that his injuries came from minimal contact. He isn't being targeted at all.

Maybe he needs to learn to take a hit better... like Slafkovsky had to learn to keep his head up.

 

[Naslundforever]

I wonder if many posters here worry about how the acid rain may affect the paint job on their car and leave in the garage versus those who just want to take it out for a great September ride on a winding road???...RELAX and let DACH play. I swear the main boards are more rational (i never thought i would see myself post that!!) than this nervous nellie social club. and FWIW I am a MD and have been in knee reconstruction surgeries so i have seen the secret sauce.

but can you fight?