I dont like him at C either, even when I think of him in his last year pre-season form. This is why I said MTL C line is weak. Yeah we have Beck, Kapanen, and maybe Xhekaj jr. that can play C, but that is on the bottom 6. We only have Suzuki as a real top 6 C right now in the organisation. So be default, you play Dach and Newhook and hope they can do the job. Hage is too far away to help, but I like what I see.
So all that to say, until a better option come along, you play Dach at C and help him as he's the best alternative. Maybe he turns it around, if not, at least you know where you stand with him.