Kirby Dach should get his chance on the first line when he returns

Michaël Petit
Kirby Dach should get his chance on the first line when he returns
Credit: Getty Images

What stands out most about the Habs this season (as it does every year, in fact) is the large number of injured players: Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, Jake Evans, Kirby Dach, and more.

The latter is at the end of his six-week deadline for returning to action, and although he's been spotted a few times in Brossard, there's no news in his case about a possible return.

It's a shame, because he adds an interesting offensive dimension to the top-6.

Forgetting his injury, let's say he returns to action for the next game, where would you place him?

You could say that the second line shouldn't be affected, and Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield should stay together.

Putting him on the third line would be a bit surprising, but if he's not on the third line, he has to be on the first line with Caufield and Suzuki.

And that's exactly where I'd put him when he returns. Why would I do that? Simply because he's already had success with the captain and the little American winger.

Arpon Basu shares the same opinion:

In any case, let's face it, even if he does very well on the first line, Alexandre Texier has no business there.

That would put the players back in their seats. Let's see what the trios would look like with Dach back (without Evans, Newhook or Anderson):

Caufield – Suzuki – Dach

Slafkovsky – Kapanen – Demidov

Texier – Danault – Bolduc

Blais – Veleno – Gallagher

Considering the other injured players, it's really not that bad.

That's why Dach's return is so important for the Habs, and we've seen Dach's success with Caufield and Suzuki in the past.

And when the other missing players mentioned above return, Texier would make way for Newhook, Blais would make way for Anderson, and Veleno would be replaced by Evans.

With a mangled team, the Habs still find a way to be successful. Imagine with a healthy team…


Overtime

– What a goal to open the scoring in the gold medal game.

– He never stops.

– Indeed.

– I love hockey for moments like this.

– Expect to see Kiefer Sherwood on the move in the next two weeks.

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