Player Discussion Kirby Dach: Welcome to Montreal

[Colezuki]

I love this trade, we don't need a 1C we need a 2C who can grow with our team, Dach fits that mold perfectly,

Slaf-Suzuki-Caufield
-Dach-

Guhle-Barron
Mailloux

is a great starting point, most teams going through rebuilds have less at this point. Just need to keep building up the D and goaltending and we could really be something in a few years.

I could see our lines next year to start the year being,

Anderson - Suzuki - Caufield
Slaf/Hoffman - DVo - Gallagher
Slaf/Hoffman - Dach - Drouin

 

[Takeru]

Lots can happen before the beginning of next season . I would not be surprised if they sign Chiarot as UFA to add experience to the D squad, especially if Petry is dealt. No way they gonna give full time jobs to Guhle-Harris and Barron right now. They re-signed Wideman and Leskinen is back too.

For sure, Hughes said he wouldn't like more than two rookies playing on D.

With Eddy/Savard/Wideman, that's one spot uncertain, depending what happens with Petry.

Not sure I'd go with Chiarot, while he was nice to have I wouldn't want to be tied up too long and for too much to such a profile. And I doubt he'd sign here at a discount/short term as that's likely his last big contract. I'd target a similar profile as Wideman (cheap older D).
I could actually see a guy like Kulak coming back for reasonable amount.

 

[Runner77]

October 2021. Post. MEDICAL UPDATE: Dach Out 4-5 Months Following Wrist Surgery

He had successful wrist surgery on December 28, 2020 as per the piece you quoted.

What is the status of his recovery? Is it 100% back to where it was pre-injury? Can his wrist function at @Karma Police 25X levels?

I’m also wondering why I’m seeing so many comments about his weak shot and miserable faceoff ability. Did the wrist injury play into those? And if not, won’t these impact on his hopes of staying a center?

Now, I’m sure the Habs did their due diligence and are comfortable that Dach can become a 2nd line C — this is just for fans on the outside looking in and looking for some reassurance.

 

[TopTenPlayz]

Realistically he has 22-23 and 23-24 to fix his wrist and learn playing normal again under MSL. If he doesnt break out by 24-25 he’s a miss. He’s a gamble that didnt cost too much tho so worth the try.

Wtf u talking about? He costs us romanov!! What if romanov went on to have a career like Mcdonagh? The guy was on constant progression and otoh, Dach was in constant regression.

 

[ArtPeur]

He had successful wrist surgery on December 28, 2020 as per the piece you quoted.

What is the status of his recovery? Is it 100% back to where it was pre-injury? Can his wrist function at @Karma Police 25X levels?

I’m also wondering why I’m seeing so many comments about his weak shot and miserable faceoff ability. Did the wrist injury play into those? And if not, won’t these impact on his hopes of staying a center?

Now, I’m sure the Habs did their due diligence and are comfortable that Dach can become a 2nd line C — this is just for fans on the outside looking in and looking for some reassurance.

@Hattrick Kane said earlier in the thread that Dach was still wearing a bandage on his wrist at season's end

 

[Runner77]

Guhle and Harris made Romanov expendable and we turned that into a potential top 6 center who is 6'3, fast and skilled.

This new regime says we can develop any one so let's see if they can do it. If they can't, better to find out earlier.

Just curious where you had Dach on his draft year and what kind of observations you had about his potential pre-draft.

 

[Runner77]

@Hattrick Kane said earlier in the thread that Dach was still wearing a bandage on his wrist at season's end

I’ve always heard that wrist injuries can be tricky. Who knows if he was only wearing that out of an abundance of caution, new or recurring symptoms or maybe it being the protocol for this type of injury? Maybe he should take the time he needs to properly attend to it?

That’s the biggest concern for me — we gave up a solid player with no major injury history for a guy who appears to not have completely overcome his major injury, unless the Habs medics would shed light.

Hoping someone will ask Hughes.

 

[Kent Nilsson]

Wtf u talking about? He costs us romanov!! What if romanov went on to have a career like Mcdonagh? The guy was on constant progression and otoh, Dach was in constant regression.

I understand that habs fans get attached to mediocre players. Reality is Romanov’s ceiling is a defensive second pair D. You got Chiarot/Edmundsons available on UFA every year. Definition of expandable.

His value at the moment is that he can be re-signed relatively cheap on a bridge deal and the habs had no use for that on the cap since we’re not competing.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

I really like this deal, it reminds me of when the bought low on Zibanejad and looked how that turned out.

He will be able to have a no pressure environment that’s all based on development under MSL.

Plus, HF has a HUGE tendency to over-rate draft pick. It’s a 50/50 shot that these guys make it to the league much less have a significant impact.

I think it’s a major win for the Habs.

Zibanejad was already a 50-point player when he was traded from the Sens and we did not buy low on Kirby, we paid a top-15 pick + in order to get him. Let's hope we made the right choice and that it will pay off.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Just curious where you had Dach on his draft year and what kind of observations you had about his potential pre-draft.

Dach was my #3 prospect but my favorite prospect in the draft.

The thing about Kirby is that he had a growth spurt he went from 5'9 to like 6'2 in a short period of time, so during his D-1 and D season you could see a lot of puppy with big paws moments. I don't know if he's fully realized, yet, what he can do with his skills and his reach but the potential was always massive for me. He has a good shot, it's not a heavy wrister but the release is quick and accurate - obviously needs to use it more. But you don't see a lot of centers his size with his skating ability and with the hands. He was always a really strong playmaker in my eyes and never shied about taking the puck wide and then inside.

I thought at the draft that he had PPG center upside but most likely someone who hovers in the 70 pt range. Think 20ish goals and 50ish assists.

During the WHL play-offs in his draft year, teams keyed in on him hard and they were physical with him. He never backed down and constantly put his team on his back.

 

[TopTenPlayz]

I understand that habs fans get attached to mediocre players. Reality is Romanov’s ceiling is a defensive second pair D. You got Chiarot/Edmundsons available on UFA every year. Definition of expandable.

His value at the moment is that he can be re-signed relatively cheap on a bridge deal and the habs had no use for that on the cap since we’re not competing.

You really think Romanov will top out like a Chiarot or Edmundson? Thats asinine. What do you think of Dach? The next Lindros?

 

[Runner77]

If we can draft one of Fantilli, Bedard or Carlsson next year….we would be set for the next 15yrs

So are the top 10 teams drafting next year.

Hence, if there is any separation between all of these, we need a guy in the top tier of that lot.

 

[morhilane]

Dach was my #3 prospect but my favorite prospect in the draft.

The thing about Kirby is that he had a growth spurt he went from 5'9 to like 6'2 in a short period of time, so during his D-1 and D season you could see a lot of puppy with big paws moments. I don't know if he's fully realized, yet, what he can do with his skills and his reach but the potential was always massive for me. He has a good shot, it's not a heavy wrister but the release is quick and accurate - obviously needs to use it more. But you don't see a lot of centers his size with his skating ability and with the hands. He was always a really strong playmaker in my eyes and never shied about taking the puck wide and then inside.

I thought at the draft that he had PPG center upside but most likely someone who hovers in the 70 pt range. Think 20ish goals and 50ish assists.

During the WHL play-offs in his draft year, teams keyed in on him hard and they were physical with him. He never backed down and constantly put his team on his back.

He sound like a HuGO prospects.

 

[ArtPeur]

I’ve always heard that wrist injuries can be tricky. Who knows if he was only wearing that out of an abundance of caution, new or recurring symptoms or maybe it being the protocol for this type of injury? Maybe he should take the time he needs to properly attend to it?

That’s the biggest concern for me — we gave up a solid player with no major injury history for a guy who appears to not have completely overcome his major injury, unless the Habs medics would shed light.

Hoping someone will ask Hughes.

I wonder how Drouin handles it

 

[Runner77]

Dach was my #3 prospect but my favorite prospect in the draft.

The thing about Kirby is that he had a growth spurt he went from 5'9 to like 6'2 in a short period of time, so during his D-1 and D season you could see a lot of puppy with big paws moments. I don't know if he's fully realized, yet, what he can do with his skills and his reach but the potential was always massive for me. He has a good shot, it's not a heavy wrister but the release is quick and accurate - obviously needs to use it more. But you don't see a lot of centers his size with his skating ability and with the hands. He was always a really strong playmaker in my eyes and never shied about taking the puck wide and then inside.

I thought at the draft that he had PPG center upside but most likely someone who hovers in the 70 pt range. Think 20ish goals and 50ish assists.

During the WHL play-offs in his draft year, teams keyed in on him hard and they were physical with him. He never backed down and constantly put his team on his back.

Thx so much for sharing that. It offers a lot of upside angles.

Just wondering why we keep seeing posts about him having a weak shot? And if you have any concerns about his wrist injury recovery?

I wonder how Drouin handles it

Do you even need to rely on your wrists when you’re coasting on the perimeter? Asking for a fiend.

 

[Nedved]

I love this trade, we don't need a 1C we need a 2C who can grow with our team, Dach fits that mold perfectly,

Slaf-Suzuki-Caufield
-Dach-

Guhle-Barron
Mailloux

is a great starting point, most teams going through rebuilds have less at this point. Just need to keep building up the D and goaltending and we could really be something in a few years.

I could see our lines next year to start the year being,

Anderson - Suzuki - Caufield
Slaf/Hoffman - DVo - Gallagher
Slaf/Hoffman - Dach - Drouin

man, just look at tampa, colorado, toronto, florida, edmonton. we're no where even close to these teams with suzuki and dach. Suzuki is a # 2 and in some cases a # 3 on these teams down the middle. we don't have a franchise center.

 

[Kent Nilsson]

You really think Romanov will top out like a Chiarot or Edmundson? Thats asinine. What do you think of Dach? The next Lindros?

I dont see any offensive potential in Romanov.

We dont have as much info on Dach’s wrist as I would like. Ive read that Chicago rushed him back from the injury and that he played all of last season with his wrist wrapped. Chicago is quickly becoming a joke and I think trading with them is a great idea.

Hughes and Gorton are high on projectability and Dach has all the tools you would ever dream in a center; big, smart, good skating, playmaking, responsible defensively.

I like that HuGo are not afraid to swing for homeruns with Slaf, Dach and Hutson and clearly they dont give a f*** what media or casual fans think. It’s going to be a long rebuild and they’ll make mistakes along the way but so far I like what they’re doing.

 

[Runner77]

He has clearly regressed since his draft year...not sure I would have traded Romanov to grab him.
Like I said earlier he reminds me of a Cody Glass clone.

Dach obviously wouldn’t have been made available if the Hawks hadn’t soured on him. Has Dach really regressed or was he just the result of a stunted progression abetted by Hawk bumblers and an untimely injury?

 

[Nedved]

Dach was my #3 prospect but my favorite prospect in the draft.

The thing about Kirby is that he had a growth spurt he went from 5'9 to like 6'2 in a short period of time, so during his D-1 and D season you could see a lot of puppy with big paws moments. I don't know if he's fully realized, yet, what he can do with his skills and his reach but the potential was always massive for me. He has a good shot, it's not a heavy wrister but the release is quick and accurate - obviously needs to use it more. But you don't see a lot of centers his size with his skating ability and with the hands. He was always a really strong playmaker in my eyes and never shied about taking the puck wide and then inside.

I thought at the draft that he had PPG center upside but most likely someone who hovers in the 70 pt range. Think 20ish goals and 50ish assists.

During the WHL play-offs in his draft year, teams keyed in on him hard and they were physical with him. He never backed down and constantly put his team on his back.

his skating at his size is exciting in a prospect. I hope a change of culture, with MSL at the helm, will fix what my dad calls "a lazy player" he saw most nights in chicago.

 

[Gainesvillain]

The indifference to the loss of Dach over on the Hawks' board is really something, given this site's adoration of young prospects. Nobody seems to particularly think the Hawks will miss him.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

He sound like a HuGO prospects.

Sounds like an everybody prospect. Not ragging on you at all but I always get a chuckle at organizations who say 'We want our team to be big, fast and skilled'.

Like uh...as opposed to who?

 

[BenchBrawl]

The indifference to the loss of Dach over on the Hawks' board is really something, given this site's adoration of young prospects. Nobody seems to particularly think the Hawks will miss him.

Like us losing Lars Eller.

 

[Runner77]

Still super upset about losing Romanov but it looks like a lateral move. We had too many LD and we needed a C who is like 6'4 and can keep up with Slafkovsky.

If we want to be devil’s advocates, only question for me is what was the opportunity cost of trading Romanov within the context of the draft? Hughes was obviously zoned in on landing a high upside center after passing on the top 2 in this draft.

Had Hughes offered Romanov league-wide, without the pressure of being on a draft clock, could he have done better?

 

[Nedved]

I understand that habs fans get attached to mediocre players. Reality is Romanov’s ceiling is a defensive second pair D. You got Chiarot/Edmundsons available on UFA every year. Definition of expandable.

His value at the moment is that he can be re-signed relatively cheap on a bridge deal and the habs had no use for that on the cap since we’re not competing.

he'll end up beside dobson and being a number 2.

 

[morhilane]

Sounds like an everybody prospect. Not ragging on you at all but I always get a chuckle at organizations who say 'We want our team to be big, fast and skilled'.

Like uh...as opposed to who?

It's not the "big, fast and skilled" in this case, it's the "put the team on his back compete level, attack the middle/inside carrying the puck and good skating".

All the players the Habs drafted this year had those three things in commons, except the goalie and the Finnish dmen I can't find any info about outside that he's a good skater.