Player Discussion Kirby Dach: Welcome to Montreal part 2

[1909]

Playing wing again, for Dach, on the first line, for one more season, as we develop an adequate replacement option, will not hurt his performance as a C in the long haul.

He will still exercise his zone entry skills on the Suzuki line, his puck possession acumen will still be solicited, his playmaking skills to create scoring opportunities will still be on display and he will regularly take on the role of C on that line when it comes to defensive play in his own zone on the back check.

It's really an advantage to have two Cs with defensive awareness and offensive skills on a two-way line meant to shutdown opponents while still producing offensive numbers. One allows the other to take off and concentrate on creating offense without hampering the defensive side of that line's game. It also isn't always tasked to the same C and provides different looks that can exploit opposing Ds more easily.

There have been many examples of Cs that were weaned on the wing and eventually had great careers at C. Thinking that playing wing for another season, as a 22-yr-old will cripple Dach's future at C is ludicrous and demonstrates a lack of understanding about the game, IMO.

A lot of the game is confidence and playing RW with Caufield and Suzuki will definitely help build Dach's confidence, something he can take with him to Center when he resumes that role.

GO DACH GO!

GO HABS GO!

Keeping him on a wing is still an option of course, but it will also depends how productive gonne be Monahan and Dvorak as middle-six centermen . And Newhook is also an option.

 

[Scriptor]

Keeping him on a wing is still an option of course, but it will also depends how productive gonne be Monahan and Dvorak as middle-six centermen . And Newhook is also an option.

It's not the only option (playing Dach on the wing), but, if the goals is to make all of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach reach a new level this upcoming season, it's the best option right off the top.

Of course, that can always evolve over the season and another answer for RW on the top line can always emerge along the way.

I'd prefer Dach back on the wing with Suzuki over Monahan because, if Dach plays C, I'd really like Monahan to be on his line to shelter him and serve as a mentor at the same time.

Since I think that Anderson on the first line holds back Suzuki and Caufield, it would have to be Newhook, most likely, but I'm not confused that this will enable Caufield and Suzuki to reach a new level.

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook?
Monahan - Dach - Anderson?
Slafkovsky - Dvorak - Gallagher? (Who else?)
RHP - Evans - Armia

-OR-

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook?
Slafkovsky - Dach - Monahan?
RHP (Lavallagher) - Dvorak - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher

I think Prefer the second version of the opening day lineup.

 

[HuGort]

Keeping him on a wing is still an option of course, but it will also depends how productive gonne be Monahan and Dvorak as middle-six centermen . And Newhook is also an option.

Dach be 2nd line center I imagine. It's development year for Habs. He played his best hockey with Suzuki and Caufield though. Eventually he may end up there permanent. But not to start this year.

Monahan maybe move up as 2nd line center. If Dach goes to Suzuki wing. It does make great first line. Plus, Get Monahan more offensive minutes in case trade at deadline. When Dvorak comes back be 3rd line center. Evans as 4th line center.

Newhook be given long look at Suzuki wing in camp. Anderson played first line wing before, had some decent games. But in long run not first line hands.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

While I agree with you, I don't think that there was any allusion about Dach's shot being a muffin (did miss that)?

There was a lot of talk about changing angles to make it harder to track the puck for opposing Gs and about releasing the puck with less forewarning (closer to the body) being harder for a 6'4" player like Dach than a 5'-Nothing player like Caufield.

Yet, it's definitely not impossible because a player like Matthews (as much as I am not a fan of his), at 6'3", is a master at doing this -- Caufield even studied Matthews' mechanics while experimenting with his own shot.

If Dach were top his shot totals from 137, a reasonable portrait as an average for his career over an 82-gameschedule, to the 253 shots a full season put up by Brendan Gallagher,I'mconvinced he would regularly score 20+ goals!

Can Dach ever even come close to 200 shots over a full season?

It would surely take a major rethinking of his approach to offense and I'm not certain that would not play against his other qualities as a good forward for zone entries and puck possession in the O-zone (fuelling his playmaking skills)?

At the very least, he'd need to consciously fight his instincts to become more of a shooting threat.

All the better if he is aware of this and accepts the need diversify his attack to become that much better.

A lot of Suzuki's strength, early on last season, was the fact he was a dual threat and able to score,as well as pass the puck to a Caufield that was swooping into open ice pockets near the opposing F/O circle. Not only was that good for Suzuki, but it also helped Caufield's game by giving him a split second more (all the time needs to unwind) once opposing Ds and Gs started hesitating -- even just a little -- when Suzuki had the puck.

IMO, Caufield has even greater odds of becoming a 50-goal scorer if Suzuki scores 30.

I’m not sure if I missed this post, but it’s b a good one. Getting those 200-250 shots off seems unlikely to me. If you change him too much he won’t be Dach anymore.

It does seem that he’s aware of it, so here’s to hoping the practice and awareness leads to a change in play without altering his play too much that it hurts his overall game.

Suzuki is elite all over the ice imo, I think he’s by far the Habs most underrated player. He’s the best centermen we’ve had in a long time. Saying I don’t expect Dach to surpass Suzuki is not an in insult to Dach, Nick is that good imo. Nick/cole haven’t had much protection throughout the lineup so they are the focal point of opposing teams every game and they still produce. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them cracks 100 points one season.

 

[Habs4Life]

No one thinks that.

He doesn’t need to either. His shot is already pretty good up close, just need to find a way to score more in other ways.

He has never been a goal scorer his whole life, he's always been a playmaker, what makes you think he can change over one summer? Seems some people think he change his identity over the course of a few summer months. He has never scored more then 25 goals in Junior, always had 2-3 times more assists then goals.

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

If he can be more elusive with his décision making with his shot without becoming à goal scorer it would be neat !

I hope they try Caufield with him, it would help elevate his confidence and make Chicago look like REAL fool

 

[SlafySZN]

He has never been a goal scorer his whole life, he's always been a playmaker, what makes you think he can change over one summer? Seems some people think he change his identity over the course of a few summer months. He has never scored more then 25 goals in Junior, always had 2-3 times more assists then goals.

Where did i or others said we thought he will become a goal scorer more than playmaker? You’re mixing everything from your initial comment to this one.

Him getting better at scoring and improving his shot is a plus and will help his general game.

Don’t know why you want to make it seems like something it isn’t.

 

[MtlSars]

Dvorak is likely to miss the beginning of the season which means Dach will likely play center.

Which is a bit of a bummer because I'd like Dach to play with Monahan. Something like Monahan/Dach/Anderson would be a sweet 2nd line, big and heavy. Without too many injuries, they'd get 50 points each easy ... Dach likely more

 

[WeThreeKings]

Dvorak is likely to miss the beginning of the season which means Dach will likely play center.

Which is a bit of a bummer because I'd like Dach to play with Monahan. Something like Monahan/Dach/Anderson would be a sweet 2nd line, big and heavy. Without too many injuries, they'd get 50 points each easy ... Dach likely more

He's playing center even if Dvorak was healthy.

 

[Habs4Life]

Where did i or others said we thought he will become a goal scorer more than playmaker? You’re mixing everything from your initial comment to this one.

Him getting better at scoring and improving his shot is a plus and will help his general game.

Don’t know why you want to make it seems like something it isn’t.

If you have read these boards enough there are a few actually.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

If you have read these boards enough there are a few actually.

I don't recall anyone ever stating that Dach will become more of a goal scorer than a playmaker??

There are plenty of ultra dumb takes on these boards and that would be one of them for sure if it actually happened.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I think he’s going to top out as a 70-80 point 2C. I like his game, and I think he’ll take a big step forward this season in terms of production. We have a Keith Primeau type of guy here I think. I hope him and Slafkovsky get to play and develop together this year. I think they are going to compliment each other well. Suzuki & Caufield on line 1, and then Dach & Slaf together on line 2. Could end up being pretty tough to contain for other teams.

 

[Rapala]

He has never been a goal scorer his whole life, he's always been a playmaker, what makes you think he can change over one summer? Seems some people think he change his identity over the course of a few summer months. He has never scored more then 25 goals in Junior, always had 2-3 times more assists then goals.

It may only amount to 3-5 extra goals per season but it does give him a dual threat and teams won't be able to camp on his pass as much. It also opens up the interesting option up using him up top on the PP. Having the abiity to move him and Suzuki around on our power play coud make it less predictable.

 

[NewDef]

It's not the only option (playing Dach on the wing), but, if the goals is to make all of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach reach a new level this upcoming season, it's the best option right off the top.

Of course, that can always evolve over the season and another answer for RW on the top line can always emerge along the way.

I'd prefer Dach back on the wing with Suzuki over Monahan because, if Dach plays C, I'd really like Monahan to be on his line to shelter him and serve as a mentor at the same time.

Since I think that Anderson on the first line holds back Suzuki and Caufield, it would have to be Newhook, most likely, but I'm not confused that this will enable Caufield and Suzuki to reach a new level.

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook?
Monahan - Dach - Anderson?
Slafkovsky - Dvorak - Gallagher? (Who else?)
RHP - Evans - Armia

-OR-

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook?
Slafkovsky - Dach - Monahan?
RHP (Lavallagher) - Dvorak - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher

I think Prefer the second version of the opening day lineup.

RHP on the fourth is plain wrong. He brings so much offensively and is not big enough for the 4th. He needs to play more than 10 minutes a night.

I love how he's been playing when in the top 6 and he would be excellent on the 3rd with a good center (Beck?) and a finisher like Roy in due time.

Florian/Pezz/Davidson kind of player is what I envision on a 4th. Big, skilled enough, take no sh*t, tires the lines they play against and can dance when needed. I don't like to see defs fight, too rare and few between good ones.

I like option 2 best too but if Dvorak goes and we get a Tatar (Andersen breaking out on the wing?) or the like for the 2nd, i'd love to have Money center the 3rd line to give that good center to RHP this year.

 

[SlafySZN]

I think he’s going to top out as a 70-80 point 2C. I like his game, and I think he’ll take a big step forward this season in terms of production. We have a Keith Primeau type of guy here I think. I hope him and Slafkovsky get to play and develop together this year. I think they are going to compliment each other well. Suzuki & Caufield on line 1, and then Dach & Slaf together on line 2. Could end up being pretty tough to contain for other teams.

A 80 points Dach is a 1C.


With everything he brings.

 

[SOLR]

A 80 points Dach is a 1C.


With everything he brings.

Its a very unrealistic number at this stage. Let's start with 65 pts.

The issue is, who's going to score the goals for him to get all these points. Anderson? I guess he could get 30, but that would mean Slaf or Monahan can get to 20-25 as well.

If Dach plays with Suz and Caufield he can get more points, but he'll be less useful.

 

[SlafySZN]

Its a very unrealistic number at this stage. Let's start with 65 pts.

The issue is, who's going to score the goals for him to get all these points. Anderson? I guess he could get 30, but that would mean Slaf or Monahan can get to 20-25 as well.

If Dach plays with Suz and Caufield he can get more points, but he'll be less useful.

I was replying to someone who said Dach would ‘’top out’’ as a 70-80 points 2C.

My point was if he’s able to score 80 points, with his tools it’ll make him a 1C, not a 2C.

 

[the valiant effort]

I think he’s going to top out as a 70-80 point 2C. I like his game, and I think he’ll take a big step forward this season in terms of production. We have a Keith Primeau type of guy here I think. I hope him and Slafkovsky get to play and develop together this year. I think they are going to compliment each other well. Suzuki & Caufield on line 1, and then Dach & Slaf together on line 2. Could end up being pretty tough to contain for other teams.

The greatest 2C of all time behind Zuke’s 110 pts

 

[ZUKI]

He has never been a goal scorer his whole life, he's always been a playmaker, what makes you think he can change over one summer? Seems some people think he change his identity over the course of a few summer months. He has never scored more then 25 goals in Junior, always had 2-3 times more assists then goals.

this summer he has worked on his shut ; Habs specialist Tim Turk was able to find wrong posture/movement so they worked to change that. It should help him to score more than before

 

[KevSkillz4]

First season with Habs he show that why he has been compared to Ryan Getzlaf in his draft year. He have better skating ability too. Really good protection of puck, really good two-way game, really good passing ability, really good hands aswell. This guy is special and he is my favorite forward at this moment. Yeah I'm a big fan of Suzuki, Caufield and Slaf, but Dach have the highest potential in my mind. Even if Slaf looks very unique aswell. I think Dach have much more to show than his actually show with Habs so far!

 

[Kaladin]

this summer he has worked on his shut ; Habs specialist Tim Turk was able to find wrong posture/movement so they worked to change that. It should help him to score more than before

Articles have come out pretty much every summer Dach has been in the NHL talking about him working on his shot lol. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Articles have come out pretty much every summer Dach has been in the NHL talking about him working on his shot lol. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

Well its clearly working since he was on pace for twice as many goals as he had in his previous best goalscoring season.

 

[Retired]

It's not the only option (playing Dach on the wing), but, if the goals is to make all of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach reach a new level this upcoming season, it's the best option right off the top.

Of course, that can always evolve over the season and another answer for RW on the top line can always emerge along the way.

I'd prefer Dach back on the wing with Suzuki over Monahan because, if Dach plays C, I'd really like Monahan to be on his line to shelter him and serve as a mentor at the same time.

Since I think that Anderson on the first line holds back Suzuki and Caufield, it would have to be Newhook, most likely, but I'm not confused that this will enable Caufield and Suzuki to reach a new level.

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook?
Monahan - Dach - Anderson?
Slafkovsky - Dvorak - Gallagher? (Who else?)
RHP - Evans - Armia

-OR-

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook?
Slafkovsky - Dach - Monahan?
RHP (Lavallagher) - Dvorak - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher

I think Prefer the second version of the opening day lineup.

Slafkovsky - Dach - Monahan

This is a recurring line in many projected lineups iirc, including my own. Money can take weak-side face-offs being opposite hand and take care of the kids. Big skilled line with a few years to grow Chemistry and get good I feel.

 

[Scriptor]

Slafkovsky - Dach - Monahan

This is a recurring line in many projected lineups iirc, including my own. Money can take weak-side face-offs and take care of the kids. Big skilled line with a few years to grow Chemistry and get good I feel.

Monahan needs to be re-signed for a few years to grow chemistry.

Who plays well enough with Caufield and Suzuki to help those two take another step forward in their development?

The only thing that enables all three of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach to take another bigger step forward in their development at the sametime is Caufield - Suzuki - Dach as a line, IMO.

 

[Retired]

Monahan needs to be re-signed for a few years to grow chemistry.

Who plays well enough with Caufield and Suzuki to help those two take another step forward in their development?

The only thing that enables all three of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach to take another bigger step forward in their development at the sametime is Caufield - Suzuki - Dach as a line, IMO.

I agree talent needs talent to elevate. Do you have anyone in mind in the org burning the 2c spot Though? I feel a big time lw for Suzuki would be easier to find than a 2c on the market in 2-3 years for what I hope will be serious pushes at that point. Maybe Monahan is future 2c for a bit.


edit - I’d love for a 18’9” 660lbs fast talented line to work so I’m biased.