Canadiens Take Massive Blow With Kirby Dach Injury News

The Montreal Canadiens received some horrible news last night about the injured Kirby Dach. Eric Engels reported that Dach will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season with ACL and MCL tears in his right knee. Both of those will require surgery.

Dach started to break out last season as the second line center and top line right winger. He started this season as the team's second line center and the 22-year-old recorded two assists in two games. This is a massive blow for someone in their development years in the NHL and on a team that is trying to find out where they stand and their timetable to win.

Dach missed 38 games in 2020-21, 12 games in 2021-22, and 24 games last season. His track record with injuries isn't very good and he is a big piece to the puzzle in Montreal if they are going to succeed anytime soon. After the injury, the Canadiens had to alter plans and Alex Newhook is now centering the second line between Juraj Slafkovsky and Tanner Pearson.

The Canadiens weren't expected to compete for a playoff spot this season and the best outcome now is to get a lottery pick, but it is still a big blow to lose Dach for an entire season. This will give someone else an opportunity, but the Habs would much rather have Dach progress this season.