Kirby Dach put together a strong performance in the Montreal Canadiens' season opener. He was engaged, played a physical game, and recorded an assist in the win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dach could not build on the opener, going pointless over his next eight games. His ice time also suffered during that stretch, averaging just 9:39 per game.
However, his play has steadily improved since then. Over Dach’s last six games, he has one goal and four assists. His ice time has increased over this stretch, now playing 12:42 per game.
After a difficult stretch to kick off the season, Dach is showing signs of turning things around. Whether he can maintain that momentum could have a significant impact on his future with the Canadiens.
Dach has plenty to prove
Kirby Dach came into this season needing to prove he could still be an integral part of the Canadiens. There appeared to be some tension between Dach and the Canadiens when he received a $4 million qualifying offer structured as a two-way deal. The Canadiens were allowed to offer Dach a two-way deal because he played just 37 games last year and 96 over the previous three seasons, falling short of the 60-game and 180-game thresholds.
Dach filed for arbitration, but the two sides agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million one-way contract before their scheduled hearing. The one-year extension puts Dach on track to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
The situation raised questions about Dach's future with the Canadiens and whether he remained part of the organization's long-term plans. He needed to prove that his past injuries were behind him and that he could be a reliable option for the Canadiens over an entire season.
Dach making the most of his opportunities
Increased ice time does not guarantee improved production, but it does give players more opportunities to generate offence. During Dach’s eight-game stretch where he did not record a point, he was largely deployed on the Canadiens' fourth line and got very little time on the power play. Everything began to change when Suzuki went down with his injury, opening a spot on the team’s top power-play unit.
Oliver Kapanen was initially given the opportunity, but with the Canadiens' power play continuing to struggle, Dach eventually got his chance. While it did not translate to immediate success on the man advantage, it gave him the opportunity to play more, and he has capitalized on it.
Despite Suzuki returning to the lineup, Dach has been given chances to play on the power play, recording his first goal of the season in the game against the Utah Mammoth. Dach has moved onto a line alongside Kapanen and Alex Newhook. According to Money Puck, the new trio has been on the ice for three goals for and has yet to give one up. The sample size is small, playing parts of three games together, but the signs are encouraging.
Dach still has plenty to prove, but his recent performances are a step in the right direction. There is still a long way to go, but if he can continue to build on this stretch, he could give the Canadiens a reason to keep him around beyond this season.
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