Dose

Allbuzznews

Slideshows

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Be Interactive

2022-11-06 11:55:10

Kirby Dach is a big guy at 6 feet 4 inches.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

The Montreal Canadiens acquired him in the last draft, in a short series of transactions.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

First, the Habs sent defenseman Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders for the 13th and 98th picks in the 2022 draft.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

A moment later, the Canadiens sent the 13th pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Kirby Dach. The Habs also added the 66th pick of the 2022 draft.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

That's good money for a kid who's been slow to come out of his shell.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

That said, Dach was the 3rd overall pick in the 2019 draft.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

A 3rd overall pick often deserves a few chances to make his mark before falling to the siding.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

That's probably why Kent Hughes sacrificed a young defenseman like Romanov to go get him.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

The Habs have been looking for good center players for years. The arrival of Dach fits perfectly into this logic.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

But what went wrong in his 3 seasons in Chicago?

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

In his rookie year in 2019-20, Dach showed good signs, with 23 points in 64 games.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

But quickly, the Hawks were disappointed. Has Dach capped out yet?

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Some people think so. In his third season last year, Dach didn't do any better than he did in his rookie season. He collected 26 points in 70 games...

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Others believe Dach is just looking for a real opportunity to make his mark.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

At 21 years of age, Kirby Dach could still be on the rise. He had only played 152 games in the NHL before the start of this season.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

So we're talking about a youngster who is still in the early stages of his career.

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

In fact, Habs GM Kent Hughes saw something in him. He brought out the big guns to acquire the young center in the draft...

Kirby Dach: the hidden card? Kent Hughes believes it!

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Then, also at the signing of his impressive contract! 4 years and nearly $13.5M for this young player who still has everything to prove, it's not nothing.