Player Discussion Kirby Dach: Welcome to Montreal part 2

[Lafleurs Guy]

I don't think we got unlucky. We should have paused when Chicago was willing to trade a top 3, big, young C for a mid 1st. Chicago that was rebuilding. There were question marks even at the time. We were all happy with the trade, but looking back, we have to question why the Hawks were so eager to move on.

Chicago mismanaged his wrist injury very badly. They played him far earlier than they should've and there was bad blood there. That parting was a mutual one.

Dach came here and showed he had the talent to be a top two center. I was so excited to see him last year. He and Slaf killed it in camp and I couldn't wait. Then of course he gets hurt and misses the whole f***ing year.

It was a great trade. It SHOULD have worked out for us and it still might. But you can't predict injuries like that.

Matheson is gone very soon. Struble and Xhekaj will be luckly to ever be as good as Romonov is now. Engstrom is good, but he's not a guarantee. Can't count your D until they hatch. People need to stop downplaying how good Romanov is and was. Just admit he's a pretty darn good player that was a big piece to lose. It's not the end of the world.

I liked Romanov. Didn't want to trade him. But I'd make that trade again now if it came up and we had a redo without injuries being a factor.

Great trade with (so far) the wrong result.

 

[Goalfield13]

Chicago mismanaged his wrist injury very badly. They played him far earlier than they should've and there was bad blood there. That parting was a mutual one.

Dach came here and showed he had the talent to be a top two center. I was so excited to see him last year. He and Slaf killed it in camp and I couldn't wait. Then of course he gets hurt and misses the whole f***ing year.

It was a great trade. It SHOULD have worked out for us and it still might. But you can't predict injuries like that.

I liked Romanov. Didn't want to trade him. But I'd make that trade again now if it came up and we had a redo without injuries being a factor.

Great trade with (so far) the wrong result.

Them mismanaging him is just your speculation. People say that about players being traded all the time. We don't really know, but I understand it can look that way. Jiricek also looks mismanaged, but who really knows where the balance of blame really lies?

I respect that you like the trade. I was OK with it at the time, but also was sad to see us trade Romanov. I think not enough blame is put on Dach, though. He did look great for stretches. Right now, it looks more mental. For me, even when he was playing well, I didn't like a lot of things I saw from his game. I still have hope for him and haven't given up. If he turns it around, and he has a lot of track to do so, we are going places. As Habs fans, we all want that.

I can not like a trade but still like the player. I am not a fan of te Newhook trade, but I do like him quite a bit. I like Dach too. The assets given up do hurt though.

 

[Andy]

Them mismanaging him is just your speculation. .

Didn't Dach have an interview where he said Chicago asked him to play a defensive role when he personally felt not ready. He mentioned they kept using him in contexts that didnt match his skillset.

This is from Dach himself.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Them mismanaging him is just your speculation.

It was well documented. I’m not digging this up again but they brought him back way, way too early after his wrist injury and it cost him a lot of time.

People say that about players being traded all the time. We don't really know, but I understand it can look that way. Jiricek also looks mismanaged, but who really knows where the balance of blame really lies?

On something like that it’s pretty cut and dry. Chicago’s trainers never should’ve let him play.

I respect that you like the trade. I was OK with it at the time, but also was sad to see us trade Romanov. I think not enough blame is put on Dach, though. He did look great for stretches. Right now, it looks more mental. For me, even when he was playing well, I didn't like a lot of things I saw from his game. I still have hope for him and haven't given up. If he turns it around, and he has a lot of track to do so, we are going places. As Habs fans, we all want that.

I mean, the guy just missed a year of hockey and is playing like crap. But so is the rest of the team so what’s the problem here?

By all means blame the player but understand the circumstances. Saying he’s ‘lazy is in itself very lazy analysis.

I can not like a trade but still like the player. I am not a fan of te Newhook trade, but I do like him quite a bit. I like Dach too. The assets given up do hurt though.

I don’t know what’s going on with us this year. Everyone- including Caufield- is playing much worse than they have. Nobody is reaching what they should be doing.

Is it a coaching issue? A systems problem? I don’t know. But ALL these guys have shown they can play better than this.

 

[Goalfield13]

Didn't Dach have an interview where he said Chicago asked him to play a defensive role when he personally felt not ready. He mentioned they kept using him in contexts that didnt match his skillset.

This is from Dach himself.

I don't really care what Dach thinks about his own usage. I bet he doesn't like playing on the wing much here either, or playing 4C. Him expressing his dissatisfaction with how he is used publicly like that just shows how immature he is.

It was well documented. I’m not digging this up again but they brought him back way, way too early after his wrist injury and it cost him a lot of time.

On something like that it’s pretty cut and dry. Chicago’s trainers never should’ve let him play.

I mean, the guy just missed a year of hockey and is playing like crap. But so is the rest of the team so what’s the problem here?

By all means blame the player but understand the circumstances. Saying he’s ‘lazy is in itself very lazy analysis.

I don’t know what’s going on with us this year. Everyone- including Caufield- is playing much worse than they have. Nobody is reaching what they should be doing.

Is it a coaching issue? A systems problem? I don’t know. But ALL these guys have shown they can play better than this.

I never said he was lazy. Why do posters here keep putting words in my mouth? I said we don't know where the balance of blame lies, but we can't just say he has no blame because others are also not playing well. THAT'S lazy analysis.

 

[morhilane]

Some of it earned, some of it not.

He got a minus last night and he did his job perfectly.

He's had two of his better games back at center in awhile, I don't think I'd sit him at this point, he did have a couple really nice passes as well yesterday.

I haven't fully watched games in a while before last night, but I thought his skating was more fluid then the last time I watched. And he was making much better decisions, not fumbling the puck as much and getting involved at both side of the ice.

He needs more confidence + some video review/coaching, but he looks on the right track to me.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I haven't fully watched games in a while before last night, but I thought his skating was more fluid then the last time I watched. And he was making much better decisions, not fumbling the puck as much and getting involved at both side of the ice.

He needs more confidence + some video review/coaching, but he looks on the right track to me.

Since he called himself out, it's been two building block games for him.. he needs a puck to go in for him.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Waive him on waiver please and select Michael Misa that's it that's all.

I just do that on my franchise mode NHL 25 sooo

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Since he called himself out, it's been two building block games for him.. he needs a puck to go in for him.

Well that’s good to hear. Hopefully he keeps it going.

If the players who’ve been dogging it of late turn it around sooner than later and Laine can get back into the swing of things relatively quickly, I think we can breathe a little easier.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I never said he was lazy. Why do posters here keep putting words in my mouth?

Fair enough. It’s been said a lot here.

I said we don't know where the balance of blame lies, but we can't just say he has no blame because others are also not playing well. THAT'S lazy analysis.

Sure. But again, you can’t ignore the context of what’s going on here. Bad team that underperforming. He’s coming off a year without seeing the ice. He’s been yo-yo’d all over the lineup…

 

[Goalfield13]

Fair enough. It’s been said a lot here.

Sure. But again, you can’t ignore the context of what’s going on here. Bad team that underperforming. He’s coming off a year without seeing the ice. He’s been yo-yo’d all over the lineup…

I get it man. I like the player, just not the trade. Yeah, seems the team is being impatient with him too. He needs to stay out of the top 6 to get back to basics without having to worry about offense. He has time.

 

[overlords]

Waive him on waiver please and select Michael Misa that's it that's all.

I just do that on my franchise mode NHL 25 sooo

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I get it man. I like the player, just not the trade. Yeah, seems the team is being impatient with him too. He needs to stay out of the top 6 to get back to basics without having to worry about offense. He has time.

Romanov’s a good player but does any GM take him over Hutson or Guhle. Hell if Xhekaj puts it all together he would likely be a more valuable piece to our team.

Romanov’s great but in no way untouchable.

 

[Justin11]

Since he called himself out, it's been two building block games for him.. he needs a puck to go in for him.

I feel that the moment he scores, his confidence level will rise. Just needs to get that monkey off his back.
I'm not ready to give up on a player that had a major knee surgery that resulted in missing the entire season.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Romanov’s a good player but does any GM take him over Hutson or Guhle. Hell if Xhekaj puts it all together he would likely be a more valuable piece to our team.

Romanov’s great but in no way untouchable.

Romanov for Dach is the easiest trade to make, Dach's size and skill combo is rare. It was looking like a massive W until the knee injury and he should be afforded patience to get back on track.

We've seen flashes of him being what he was pre-injury, it's not like it's gone.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Since he called himself out, it's been two building block games for him.. he needs a puck to go in for him.

He was directly responsible for the OT goal Utah scored, but he shouldn't be out there for 3v3 anyway, not fast enough

 

[Goalfield13]

Romanov’s a good player but does any GM take him over Hutson or Guhle. Hell if Xhekaj puts it all together he would likely be a more valuable piece to our team.

Romanov’s great but in no way untouchable.

I never said he was untouchable, friend. I said he was a good player and established himself as a good NHL defenseman. I also never said anyone would take him over Guhle. Guhle was not part of the conversation. Also, anyone who would pick Xhekaj over Romanov is either a huge Hab homer or an idiot. We are lucky we have Hutson NOW to cover the loss for Romanov, but Hutson wasn't part of the equation at the time. Hutson was drafted 62nd and was undersized.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I never said he was untouchable, friend. I said he was a good player and established himself as a good NHL defenseman. I also never said anyone would take him over Guhle. Guhle was not part of the conversation. Also, anyone who would pick Xhekaj over Romanov is either a huge Hab homer or an idiot. We are lucky we have Hutson NOW to cover the loss for Romanov, but Hutson wasn't part of the equation at the time. Hutson was drafted 62nd and was undersized.

Relax. Jeez lol. Romanov is a better D man but we need Xhekaj’s size, and intimidation. Plus he has far greater offensive upside.

Xhekaj is far more important to US than having a Romanov. Even if Romanov is objectively the better D man.

 

[Goalfield13]

Relax. Jeez lol. Romanov is a better D man but we need Xhekaj’s size, and intimidation. Plus he has far greater offensive upside.

Xhekaj is far more important to US than having a Romanov. Even if Romanov is objectively the better D man.

Romanov is 220 lbs. He isn't exactly small. He was very physical when he was here, and he is actually a legit NHL defenseman. I like Xhekaj, but any comparison to Romanov right now is laughable.

Also, YOU RELAX!

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Romanov is 220 lbs. He isn't exactly small. He was very physical when he was here, and he is actually a legit NHL defenseman. I like Xhekaj, but any comparison to Romanov right now is laughable.

Also, YOU RELAX!

Xhekaj’s height and reach but a 240 lb beast really helps.

Romy’s a beaut but what do you do long term? Have Romanov on your 3rd pairing?

 

[Hope Of Glory]

He's trending in the right direction, albeit slowly. Hopefully he takes it up another notch in the next 10 gamss or so.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Romanov for Dach is the easiest trade to make, Dach's size and skill combo is rare. It was looking like a massive W until the knee injury and he should be afforded patience to get back on track.

We've seen flashes of him being what he was pre-injury, it's not like it's gone.

Agree we need to give him time.

But I think we also should treat it like 2nd line center is a hole that needs filling. We can bring in somebody else and still keep Dach. Because if Dach doesn't find his game, we're really up the creek. Coming into this year I said so much depended on him being 'the guy' on the second line. He's crapped out (not necessarily his fault) and it's really hurt us. We need help there.

Keep him. Let him find his game. But depending on him going forward is a mistake in my opinion. Quarter into the season and he's been pretty bad. How long do we wait for him to find his game before getting another center? Might as well get one anyway.

 

[morhilane]

He's trending in the right direction, albeit slowly. Hopefully he takes it up another notch in the next 10 gamss or so.

I think a part of his struggles were compounded by the rest of the team playing like crap at the start of the season. It wasn't a positive environment for a young player guaranteed to be struggling after missing a full season.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Agree we need to give him time.

But I think we also should treat it like 2nd line center is a hole that needs filling. We can bring in somebody else and still keep Dach. Because if Dach doesn't find his game, we're really up the creek. Coming into this year I said so much depended on him being 'the guy' on the second line. He's crapped out (not necessarily his fault) and it's really hurt us. We need help there.

Keep him. Let him find his game. But depending on him going forward is a mistake in my opinion. Quarter into the season and he's been pretty bad. How long do we wait for him to find his game before getting another center? Might as well get one anyway.

It’s hole-ish lol. To me anyways.

Beck being a #2 isn’t out of the question. Maybe not the most drool worthy option but he could easily end up being a damn good one honestly.

Hage arguably has the raw upside Suzuki had at the same time. No guarantees he’ll be as good obviously but easily #2 upside.

I’m not objecting to drafting one with a high pick but to me the biggest hole is RD. Reinbacher and Mailloux could end up being great and more than enough but they’re AT LEAST as question mark-y as Dach and there is NO ONE besides Barron to back them up.

For me the C situation is far better than the RD situation

 

[Fatbiggie]

Sucks because he was poised to have his breakout season last year until f***ing Tinordi met his path . Almost happened again with the stupid hit from Greig (I do think that hit as left a mark as he was doing good before it)

Injuries are our worst enemies and it’s not even close.