Player Discussion Kirby Dach: Welcome to Montreal part 2

[BLONG7]

That's a 2+ year back up plan. I guess we just still remain patient? Transition years are delayed like the Sens/Sabres? I doubt Beck, Newhook, Kapanen are able to fill a 2C role. Maybe Hage but he's more than 2 years away. If Newhook can't play center for a contender after MacKinnon, he's not going to be able to do that behind Suzuki on a younger team. Newhook is not a center IMO. He's a winger who can play center as insurance (injuries) but it's not ideal if you want to win. If you want to delay the transition, it fits.

Demidov is the real back-up plan (next season). So yeah, this is a big season for Dach in terms of stapling himself in that 2C spot or even challenging Suzuki. He showed signs of that heading into last season.

I think this kid has started very slow, because of the missed year..................the talent is there, staying healthy is key obviously. I could see him landing on the wing of a good second line.
It's been 4 games, everyone is thinking he should have picked up where he left off, just not possible at this level.
He is talented, it will come guys.............October will be his slow and steady progress and hopefully November he kicks it in gear.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think this kid has started very slow, because of the missed year..................the talent is there, staying healthy is key obviously. I could see him landing on the wing of a good second line.
It's been 4 games, everyone is thinking he should have picked up where he left off, just not possible at this level.
He is talented, it will come guys.............October will be his slow and steady progress and hopefully November he kicks it in gear.

Could be a line mix problem. Newhook to me is not a top 6 sure shot talent. It was OK when he was there with Dach/Laine but without Laine, it changes things. No offense to Armia and his rebound but he don't belong there either. We have a gap and too bad Demidov was not with us this season.

Very curious to see what kind of season Dach has. I still believe in him a lot but he has to start producing.

 

[BLONG7]

Could be a line mix problem. Newhook to me is not a top 6 sure shot talent. It was OK when he was there with Dach/Laine but without Laine, it changes things. No offense to Armia and his rebound but he don't belong there either. We have a gap and too bad Demidov was not with us this season.

Very curious to see what kind of season Dach has. I still believe in him a lot but he has to start producing.

Amazing what the Laine injury did to the season.............let's hope he can come back after Christmas.

Dach does need to start to show his game, real soon.............if not I can see them make a deal for a Centre.

 

[Deebs]

Amazing what the Laine injury did to the season.............let's hope he can come back after Christmas.

Dach does need to start to show his game, real soon.............if not I can see them make a deal for a Centre.

Dach has the entire year for me. He's coming back from a massive surgery, people need to be patient.

If anything for this year, I could see him getting some time on the wing but moving forward, I absolute see him as a Center

 

[Ozmodiar]

That's a 2+ year back up plan. I guess we just still remain patient? Transition years are delayed like the Sens/Sabres? I doubt Beck, Newhook, Kapanen are able to fill a 2C role. Maybe Hage but he's more than 2 years away. If Newhook can't play center for a contender after MacKinnon, he's not going to be able to do that behind Suzuki on a younger team. Newhook is not a center IMO. He's a winger who can play center as insurance (injuries) but it's not ideal if you want to win. If you want to delay the transition, it fits.

Demidov is the real back-up plan (next season). So yeah, this is a big season for Dach in terms of stapling himself in that 2C spot or even challenging Suzuki. He showed signs of that heading into last season.

Dach has 2 seasons left on his deal (this one and next). It stands to reason that the backup plan is 2+ from now. They are laying the foundation for alternatives should Dach not be the long term answer.

If they give up on Dach we’ll see a more obvious, shorter term, solution.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Dach has the entire year for me. He's coming back from a massive surgery, people need to be patient.

If anything for this year, I could see him getting some time on the wing but moving forward, I absolute see him as a Center

I’d love to be a fly on the wall when hockey ops discuss their expectations for Dach.
They’re likely exercising some patience now … but for how long? Maybe they’re looking for improvement throughout the season and next season being “make or break, no excuses” with Demidov’s arrival.

 

[Tyson]

Dach has zero chemistry with his current line mates. I would make him a winger permanently. In 5+ years he has not improved whatsoever in the face off dot.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Dach has zero chemistry with his current line mates. I would make him a winger permanently. In 5+ years he has not improved whatsoever in the face off dot.

Kirby Dach is at his best taking the puck through the middle of the ice, being the first forward back in the defensive zone getting below the dots and transitioning the puck back. He's a center, the face-offs will improve over time and it is hardly a massive factor. Late zone lead defensive faceoffs he won't be on for and Suzuki would be taking late offensive zone face-offs needing a goal.

 

[Tyson]

Kirby Dach is at his best taking the puck through the middle of the ice, being the first forward back in the defensive zone getting below the dots and transitioning the puck back. He's a center, the face-offs will improve over time and it is hardly a massive factor. Late zone lead defensive faceoffs he won't be on for and Suzuki would be taking late offensive zone face-offs needing a goal.

I don't agree, you lose 2/3 of your face offs you end up chasing the play for 25 seconds. Can't generate a whole lot when by the time you get the puck your shift is over. No #2 Center can be effective winning under 40% of his face offs.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I don't agree, you lose 2/3 of your face offs you end up chasing the play for 25 seconds. Can't generate a whole lot when by the time you get the puck your shift is over. No #2 Center can be effective winning under 40% of his face offs.

The difference between 40% and 50% face-off efficiency over an entire season isn't that many possessions.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Dach has 2 seasons left on his deal (this one and next). It stands to reason that the backup plan is 2+ from now. They are laying the foundation for alternatives should Dach not be the long term answer.

If they give up on Dach we’ll see a more obvious, shorter term, solution.

I don't think we give up on Dach this early but this season will tell us a lot IMO. Does he push to the 60-80 pts range or stay at 40-60 ish.

The foundation you are talking about means more youth and transition delays to being a contender.
* Beck and Kapanen are not 2C solutions. They are 3C solutions with big hopes they can be a 2C.
* Demidov could be a 2C solution but he likely starts on wing. We will see how the Habs manage that next year.
* Hage could be a 2C solution but that is 2 or 3 years away at least.

There could very well be a gap with our 2C if Dach doesn't live up to our expectations. I hope he does. Hate taking the negative side but it's something we need to consider because delaying the transition from rebuild to contender is not ideal either. Usually, you want those transition years to be 2 years vs 4+.