Hockey

Kirby Dach: It’s now… or never
Marc-Olivier Cook
Kirby Dach: It’s now… or never
Credit: Getty Images

Do you remember your reaction when Gary Bettman took the podium at the 2022 draft to announce the Alex Romanov deal? In fact… Do you remember your reaction when Gary Bettman took the podium at the 2022 draft to announce the Alex Romanov deal, just before saying that the Habs had moved to acquire Kirby Dach?

At the time, many were excited (and rightly so) to see a 3rd overall pick come to Montreal to help the team in the long term. But at the time, we didn't know that Kirby was going to experience a number of physical difficulties, even though we clearly knew he had a significant injury history. Today, we can safely say that Dach “disappoints” in the context where we expected more from him. It's a shame, but… that's the way it is. This may be his last chance to make a name for himself in Montreal, as Marco D'Amico(The Shaun Starr Show) pointed out:

Two things are important here.1. Jeff Gorton said at the end-of-season review that time is running out for Dach. He needs to step up, he needs to show that he can help the Habs in the short (and long) term… and he needs to show that the organization made the right decision in paying good money to get him from Chicago.2. Dach, at 24 (25 in January 2026) is entering the final year of his contract. He'll be an RFA next summer… but he needs to give himself the chance to show that he deserves a new deal with the Montreal Canadiens. It's now or never for Kirby Dach. We've seen him succeed in his first season with the Canadiens, as he has some really interesting – and intriguing – qualities for a player of his size. He's got good hands, good vision… and he's 6'4 and 221 lbs. Talented players like him are a rarity in the NHL these days. But Dach also has to prove himself in a way, even though he's had a tough time with injuries over the past two years. It's up to him to take things in hand… and that's why it'll be interesting to see how he fares at the team's next training camp. It's up to him, then.

'Overtime'

– Oh, yes!

– Good question.

– Papa Shea!

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