The Montreal Canadiens gave up a pretty penny to acquire Kirby Dach, and the signs thus far aren't very encouraging.
With that said, Habs management and the coaching staff are being patient with Dach, who is still shaking off the cobwebs after missing a full season with injury. It's obvious that Dach has the skill, skating and shot to be a very good top-nine forward. But the hope is that he can take a stranglehold of the second-line centre role, which doesn't seem likely right now.
I don't think that they would opt to trade him, while they are working on getting him back to 100%, but where there is smoke there is fire. Elliotte Friedman stated on The 32 Thoughts podcast that he thought Dach could be a target for Pittsburgh. At this juncture, the Penguins need to play the field smartly, acquiring players that aren't too young, so they can help push the team over the slope.
Friedman on 32TP: “I’m sitting here thinking, okay who else can Pittsburgh target? Look I’m not saying they are talking to Montreal or anything like that… I can’t help but wonder about Kirby Dach being that kind of a guy”
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 29, 2024
In Pittsburgh, Dach could be moved to the wing opposite Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin and help the team's offence. This would ensure the Penguins have some added support to help push them through the playoffs. With an aging core, the options are slim and a good way to get the team to a level worth of a deep Stanley Cup run, they will need to add guys that are ready to compete now.
While Dach has struggled, he has proven that he can compete in the NHL and with established longtime NHLers, I would suspect that he could find his groove. The issue on the Habs' end is what exactly the Penguins have that could get Kent Hughes interested in such a trade. Dach was brought in to be a big piece for the future, and I don't think he would let him go for cheap.
But on the same token, Dach hasn't done much to warrant a large return.
It could be too soon to move on
As I said, a package that makes sense is hard to piece together because the Penguins draft late. This is a bit of an issue because the Habs are going to need a solid return. Dach is no doubt hard to watch at this point and frustrating at times.
My issue is moving on from Dach, and then him becoming a fantastic player on another team. It sort of goes against what the team is working towards; developing young players. The Canadiens have not gotten the best out of Dach, but I do think that he still needs some time to reach his potential.
Unless it's a trade package that can't be ignored on the table, Kent Hughes should be patient with Dach.