September 7, 2022
The Montreal Canadiens have come to terms with Kirby Dach on a four-year contract
The Montreal Canadiens have found common ground with center Kirby Dach, signing him to a four-year contract that will pay out a total of $13,500,000 USD over the course of the deal.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Dach with the third overall pick at the 2019 NHL Draft, and had high expectations for the young center. However, Dach’s progress was hindered by a serious wrist injury that was suffered at the 2018 World Junior Championship. Since then, the talented youngster has struggled to find his way in the NHL despite showing flashes of pure brilliance.
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At 6’4″ and 197 pounds, Dach could well be the elusive center that the Canadiens have been searching for. The 21-year-old was dealt to the Canadiens on July 7th, in exchange for a first-round pick that was acquired from the New York Islanders for Alexander Romanov, and a third-round pick in this year’s draft.
Dach had nine goals and 26 points in 70 games last season with the Blackhawks, a team that struggled at every position and was blown apart during this off-season. For Dach, a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to get himself back on track.
For Kent Hughes, a four-year deal at an average of $3,625,000 USD per year is a bit of a risk, but one that could yield high rewards. Dach was a highly touted prospect that probably wouldn’t have been traded out of Chicago without the complications from the wrist injury, and like Sean Monahan, both players could quite fathomably return to a high level of play and become key components on this new look Montreal Canadiens squad.
Once this fresh new contract is concluded, Dach will be just 25 years old and remain a restricted free agent, which given his progress during the next few years, come become an absolute steal for the Canadiens.
“Just about every trade that we’ve done, before we do it, we take the time to do our due diligence and understand the player as a player but also as an individual, and we’re comfortable with who Kirby Dach is as a human being first and foremost and what his potential is,” said Kent Hughes.
“There’s no such thing as being 100 per-cent certain in this business, but we believe he’s got a lot of potential, and we believe in this environment—with our group, with our coach, with our development group and with the character of our locker room—that this is a better environment for Kirby Dach. And in that environment, we’re comfortable that he’s going to achieve good things in the Montreal Canadiens organisation. Do we know 100 per cent? No. But we’re prepared to bet on him.”
A little faith can do wonders for a young man’s confidence.
Read More:
>> The Dorval arena re-opens, hosts a Montreal Canadiens alumni game
>> Carey Price unlikely to play this season
>> Sean Monahan traded to the Montreal Canadiens
One face that will not be returning the Canadiens this season – or to the NHL for that matter, is veteran Mathieu Perreault, who has announced his retirement from the NHL. The 34-year-old Quebec native retires as a member of his childhood favourite team, following a thirteen year NHL career. In 25 games with the Canadiens last season, Perreault notched four goals and five assists.
Perreault will set his sights on a new challenge, and is joining TVA Sports as a broadcaster.
