Injury Update on Kirby Dach
On November 16, the Montreal Canadiens revealed that Kirby Dach, acquired in a trade during the 2022 draft, had sustained a fractured foot, initially projecting a recovery period of four to six weeks. Fast forward to now, and it’s been over seven weeks since the injury, with Dach’s return still uncertain. Compounding the issue, he was recently seen in a walking boot at the Bell Centre, raising further concerns about his condition.
General Manager’s Comments
During a recent mid-season evaluation, General Manager Kent Hughes was questioned about Dach’s recovery timeline and responded with some distress, asking,
“Wasn’t it six to eight weeks?”
He emphasized that the Canadiens plan to approach Dach’s recovery cautiously, particularly given his history of injuries, including a serious knee issue on the same leg.
Unexpected On-Ice Session
In a surprising turn of events, Dach unexpectedly took to the ice on Thursday morning alongside his injured teammates, which included Kaiden Guhle, Jake Evans, and Patrik Laine. His on-ice session lasted a mere 20 minutes, supervised by director of hockey development Adam Nicholas. Observers noted that Dach’s skating did not indicate a speedy return, leading to speculation that he may be running out of opportunities with the team.
Performance and Participation Challenges
Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has struggled with injuries, appearing in only 132 of 289 potential games—an alarming participation rate of just 46%. His performance in faceoffs has been dismal, with a career average success rate of 39.8%, which is particularly problematic for a player expected to fill a center role.
Currently, Oliver Kapanen has taken charge of the second line, boasting a more respectable 46.4% faceoff success rate despite limited NHL experience. However, the Canadiens are faced with a significant challenge in establishing a solid roster as they strive to build a competitive team. The capacity to find consistent and reliable players is essential, a point that has been highlighted by Hughes in assessing the team’s needs.
Concerns About Contracts and Future Prospects
Another concern is the contract given to Guhle, which appears to be a gamble given his commitment and subsequent lack of playing time. After signing a six-year deal in July 2024, Guhle played only 55 games last season and has only made five appearances this season, forcing the Canadiens to rely on less experienced defensemen like Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble.
As the Canadiens continue to navigate the complexities of their roster, there’s cautious optimism surrounding younger players like Michael Hage, who is expected to transition to the professional level after this season. However, there’s a prevailing uncertainty about Dach’s future, especially with the impending Restricted Free Agent status he will earn this summer. While it’s possible Hughes may extend a qualifying offer, the GM must grapple with the reality that Dach might not develop into the player they initially envisioned. The team needs to identify safer, more effective options moving forward.
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