Dach was poised to break out 23/24 season....end of 22/23 he was playing like a beast and it continued right into the following training camp.
MANY were talking about him being the potential #1 and sliding Nick down to #2.
Not sure what he ends up now but not so long ago he as showing great signs.
Bottom line with Dach is: it will take time (meaning maybe 12 more months) before we know for sure what he is after his injury. His cap hit is low, so if he develop a bottom 6 type of game, or he's better suited on the wing on the top 6, so be it.
That said, the season so far has provided some key intel on what is needed for this team to move forward. In the absence of Dach at 2C, KH must find, sooner rather then later a guy that can carry that role. If Dach emerge back as a viable 2C in the future, great, now you have trade assets.
We also know that LD is set for now with Guhle, Hutson and Xhekaj. That said, the RD is to be completely re-model. Yeah at some point Reinbacher and Mailloux may step in, but we know that Barron, Matheson, Savard, Struble are not a long term solution.
Problem is that MTL is not alone needing these peices and there are almost none available right now.