Are the Montreal Canadiens finally ready to pull the plug on the Kirby Dach experiment? According to a recent report, one of the Habs’ most intriguing reclamation projects could be heading to the trade block this offseason.
When Kent Hughes swung the deal to acquire Dach back in 2022, the 6-foot-4 center was supposed to be a cornerstone of Montreal’s top six. Fast forward to today, and a brutal string of injuries has entirely derailed his development timeline. Now, with the Canadiens looking to take the next step in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup and clear up logjams in the forward corps, Habs insider Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports believes management might be ready to move on.
But what is a 25-year-old forward with a massive ceiling and a concerning medical chart actually worth in today’s NHL trade market? Lavoie suggests the Habs could still extract a solid return, potentially netting a second or third-round draft pick. For a team stockpiling assets, that’s a tempting proposition. But there’s a much bigger, blockbuster scenario that could emerge from shipping out Dach.
Assessing Kirby Dach’s Trade Value and Market Interest
From a general manager’s perspective, trading for Dach is a high-risk, high-reward proposition. On one hand, you have a former third-overall pick who possesses rare size, excellent vision, and the ability to drive play when healthy. On the other hand, his availability has been a massive red flag.
If Montreal officially makes him available, there will absolutely be suitors. Teams looking for a buy-low candidate to anchor their middle six, like the Columbus Blue Jackets or the LA Kings, might gladly part with a second or third-round pick. At his current cap hit, Dach offers incredible surplus value if he can string together an 82-game season. For the Canadiens, moving him clears up valuable cap space and roster spots for emerging prospects pushing for NHL ice time.
Kirby Dach Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 306 | 51 | 85 | 136 | -53 |
| Playoffs | 28 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 2 |
Could a Kirby Dach Trade Lead to Dylan Larkin?
Here is where the asset management game gets truly interesting. The Canadiens might only get a second-round pick for Dach, but that pick immediately becomes a valuable trade chip to address larger organizational needs.
Could that pick be bundled as part of a larger, multi-player blockbuster for a proven star like Dylan Larkin? While that possibility seems remote right now, the NHL is built on packaging mid-round picks and prospects for elite talent. If Montreal uses Dach to acquire future draft capital, they give Kent Hughes the exact ammunition he needs to go big-game hunting when top-tier centers inevitably hit the trade market.
Find the Latest Montreal Canadiens News & Join Our NHL Pool
Looking for the most up-to-date Montreal Canadiens news, rumors, and game-day coverage? Be sure to bookmark nhltraderumor.com so you never miss a breaking story. Want to get in on the action? Join our fun, easy-to-use online NHL Hockey Pool for your chance to win cash prizes this season! Plus, check our daily schedule to find out exactly how to watch the Habs game on TV today.
