Kirby Dach's career has been full of ups and downs, but the Montreal Canadiens believed they could give him stability and find him a spot as their No. 2 center of the future. He had a good first season with the Canadiens, recording 38 points in 58 games. However, the issue was that he played only 58 games after some injury issues. Montreal hoped they could get a full season out of him in 2023-24, but he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the season's second game, which sidelined him for the rest of the year.
Dach remained healthy for most of this season, but his 22 points in 57 games indicated that his recovery from the knee injury may have delayed some of his development. The good news was that Dach was still only 24 and had plenty of time to sort things out. After 57 games this season, the Canadiens and their fans are searching for answers again after another right knee injury.
L’attaquant Kirby Dach a subi une opération au genou droit. L'opération a été réalisée avec succès par le Dr Thierry Pauyo à Montréal et une guérison complète est attendue avant le début de la prochaine saison.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 28, 2025
Forward Kirby Dach underwent successful surgery to his right knee.… pic.twitter.com/BRiYQRfpWb
The Canadiens announced on Friday that Dach will miss the remainder of the season. We saw the movie before when Dach left Tuesday's game with a lower-body injury, and the Canadiens were quiet about his prognosis. When rumors started circulating on Thursday night that the Canadiens would give an update on his status the following day, we could've predicted what that announcement would be.
Dach underwent surgery on Friday to get the injury sorted. The team believes he will make a full recovery for next season, but the question has to be what kind of shape he will be in by next October. Will there be worries that his knee will never be the same? The Canadiens have to think he might not be their future No. 2 center anymore. They may have already had those thoughts after his performance so far this season, but the injury likely solidified it.