Player Discussion Kirby Dach: Welcome to Montreal part 2

[26Mats]

Not the worst thing for him to piling points on the top line even if he’s on the wing. He might end up being one of those guys who bounce between top line winger and 2nd line center.

He's adding something to that line: allowing Suzuki to have plays created for him and use his finishing ability, instead of always creating for others.

I hope the trio stick - and MSL can turn to creating a 2nd scoring line.

 

[Goalfield13]

He's adding something to that line: allowing Suzuki to have plays created for him and use his finishing ability, instead of always creating for others.

I hope the trio stick - and MSL can turn to creating a 2nd scoring line.

This. Suzuki must be so happy to have a guy like Dach on this line to free him up.

 

[MTLHABS1]

We have 3 years worth of data. Not 6 games. Goal Caufield is and has always been elite at scoring. Kirby has never been.

 

[Legend123]

I was just trying to tell you that underwhelming FO numbers shouldn't be the final decision in a guy's career.

Dach will get better with time at faceoffs...

Dach isn't good enough to drive a line on his own, at least thus far in his career. What's the point of having him struggle at C and score no points. Just leave him on the top line and get his confidence up

 

[Belial]

Dach isn't good enough to drive a line on his own, at least thus far in his career. What's the point of having him struggle at C and score no points. Just leave him on the top line and get his confidence up

I have no problem with him playing on the wing right now and getting points.

My point was that eventually, I think he's gonna be a center.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

In that scenario I'm playing

Dubois - Carlsson - Slaf

But I agree that would be an absolute unit of a line that would hem teams in their own zone.

Tbh if we get a forward in the top 10 this year I think we are golden up front if we can also get Dubois.

Our future top 9

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Dubois - 2023 pick - Salf
Heineman - Beck - Mesar

That's gross

That’s freaky solid for the next ten years haha

 

[Playmaker09]

His skill set has center written all over him.

He'll get back to center eventually IMO.

His best assets are his combo of puck control + length and his vision in passing from the outside to the middle. He can do that better from the wing than from the middle.

And the era of high-end playmakers being de facto centers is behind us. Players like Getzlaf, Thornton and Backstrom are on their last legs and there's no one in the upcoming generation to replace them. Pretty much every center that enters the league nowadays needs to be able to put the puck in the net, and more and more of the game's top playmakers are finding themselves on the wings.

Because it makes more sense for the guy in the middle to be in prime scoring areas than the guys on the boards. Centers aren't the guys forechecking and turning pucks over. They're the highest man in the zone. So when the wingers recover a puck and look to the slot, who is most likely to be there? It's a natural evolution of the game.

 

[WinterLion]

Dach has something special to bring. I think there is more where this came from. He is not without flaws, but we are seeing that Caulfield and Suzi are trusting him more and more.... this is very good...

 

[Belial]

His best assets are his combo of puck control + length and his vision in passing from the outside to the middle. He can do that better from the wing than from the middle.

And the era of high-end playmakers being de facto centers is behind us. Players like Getzlaf, Thornton and Backstrom are on their last legs and there's no one in the upcoming generation to replace them. Pretty much every center that enters the league nowadays needs to be able to put the puck in the net, and more and more of the game's top playmakers are finding themselves on the wings.

Because it makes more sense for the guy in the middle to be in prime scoring areas than the guys on the boards. Centers aren't the guys forechecking and turning pucks over. They're the highest man in the zone. So when the wingers recover a puck and look to the slot, who is most likely to be there? It's a natural evolution of the game.

The fact that he's doing great on the wing right now doesn't deny the center-domination dream.

He's the best guy in transition already, and I would always want it to be my center as he can find his wingers on the ice in stride for one-timers and so on.

He's quite shifty for his size, and his reach is a great weapon.

I think with time he will be a two-way monster if MSL manages to make him explode.

 

[Runner77]

There is no top end centerman that has a faceoff success below 40%. His skillset WILL have to get that number up if he ever wants to see that position again.

And yet, several suggested that Dach’s faceoff percentage didn’t really matter for him to stay at the position. Maybe the coaching staff is seeing things differently.

 

[SlafySZN]

And yet, several suggested that Dach’s faceoff percentage didn’t really matter for him to stay at the position. Maybe the coaching staff is seeing things differently.

That has nothing to do with his % on faceoffs, MSL doesn't care giving any of the kids chances at getting better.

Nick and Cole asked to get a winger that could stay with them for a longer period of time.

 

[Gravity]

Happy that I was wrong about Dach. I still would like him to play inside a little more and drive the play but he's been a great fit for Suzuki and CC on the wing.

 

[Runner77]

That has nothing to do with his % on faceoffs, MSL doesn't care giving any of the kids chances at getting better.

Nick and Cole asked to get a winger that could stay with them for a longer period of time.

How do you mean that his faceoff percentage has nothing to do with him not playing center? I thought I read a comment in a recent article that it was a factor in moving Dach away from playing center.

Regardless, it doesn’t really matter right now, Dach is completing Suzuki and Caufield beautifully so let it ride and see where it goes.

 

[Legend123]

I have no problem with him playing on the wing right now and getting points.

My point was that eventually, I think he's gonna be a center.

thats not necessarily true. He doesnt seem good enough on the draw or defensively. His offensive skills also seem to shine more on the wing. He doesnt strike me as a C. Assuming we draft a top 6 C this draft, I dont see him playing center for the Habs.

Our C lineup will be top 5 pick (hopefully Bedard or Fantilli), Suzuki, Beck (or some other forechecking C).

Dach isnt a third line C

 

[Belial]

thats not necessarily true. He doesnt seem good enough on the draw or defensively. His offensive skills also seem to shine more on the wing. He doesnt strike me as a C. Assuming we draft a top 6 C this draft, I dont see him playing center for the Habs.

Our C lineup will be top 5 pick (hopefully Bedard or Fantilli), Suzuki, Beck (or some other forechecking C).

Dach isnt a third line C

We'll see going forward.

 

[Andrei79]

I honestly didn't expect he would be this good on the wing. I hope they don't break that line, he's playing great hockey. He was playing good hockey at center too, but the team just doesn't have enough talent right now.

 

[WeThreeKings]

A lot of posters are punching air right now.

"I wanted to keep bashing the trade and pining for a nonsensical scenario where we keep the 13th pick and he keeps producing!!!!"

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

A lot of posters are punching air right now.

"I wanted to keep bashing the trade and pining for a nonsensical scenario where we keep the 13th pick and he keeps producing!!!!"

Keeping the 13th pick wasn't a non-sensical move. Just another move, with less risk, but the risk paid off so far. I haven't seen many bashing this trade.

 

[ReHabs]

Suzuki-Caufield’s continued success is the perfect spot to bring Dach along. Have to give credit where it is due, it seems Dach is being placed in a position to succeed.

Hopefully this translates into Dach becoming a reliable “self-starter” on his own line in coming years but for now his development is encouraging!

This tank season is now over 10% through and we have very little going wrong for our ambitions.

Keeping the 13th pick wasn't a non-sensical move. Just another move, with less risk, but the risk paid off so far. I haven't seen many bashing this trade.

I think that person has major scores to settle but it’s mostly a one-way score settling. Maybe one day soon they settle down and act normal for a change.

 

[Father Roy Richards]

That has nothing to do with his % on faceoffs, MSL doesn't care giving any of the kids chances at getting better.

Nick and Cole asked to get a winger that could stay with them for a longer period of time.

Yes, I sincerely doubt they'd get fed up enough with his faceoff struggles, which they knew would be a major work in progress when they acquired him, to pull him off C because of that after less than 10 games. It feels like this is just a product of not having enough skilled, productive players so putting 3 of the better ones together. Dach looked good at C, but he needs to play with players who can finish. I would expect his future is still at C as more talent develops.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Happy that I was wrong about Dach. I still would like him to play inside a little more and drive the play but he's been a great fit for Suzuki and CC on the wing.

A little early to say we’re wrong about him. We always knew he was highly skilled. He’s looking good with our two best players, but it’s only a small stretch. If he keeps it up it will be great though, I just don’t think it will.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

His average is 44. And it's Malkin. A Hall of Famer. Clearly you are not comparing both.

FA % will not be a determining factor in whether Kirby plays center or not. You made the point and you are wrong.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Keeping the 13th pick wasn't a non-sensical move. Just another move, with less risk, but the risk paid off so far. I haven't seen many bashing this trade.

I said a nonsensical scenario because we were never acquiring it without Dach being available for the price.

 

[waitin425]

thats not necessarily true. He doesnt seem good enough on the draw or defensively. His offensive skills also seem to shine more on the wing. He doesnt strike me as a C. Assuming we draft a top 6 C this draft, I dont see him playing center for the Habs.

Our C lineup will be top 5 pick (hopefully Bedard or Fantilli), Suzuki, Beck (or some other forechecking C).

Dach isnt a third line C

I see what you did there with our centre order... !

If we can draft a centre that is gonna outscore a guy pacing for 55 goals and 100+ points I'm down with that! Suzuki is our first line centre until that happens though.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Wasn't expecting him to be turned into a winger so fast but so glad that he's found chemistry with Cole and Suzuki. He just needs to trust his shot a little more. His hands and vision are currently on display and I hope the people who hated the move will now happily eat crow. Dach is the one player who's shown chemistry with these two and I'd argue he fits the line better than Toffoli did. With what Beck showed at TC, I'm not too worried we have a potential 2C in store.