Canadiens Trade Rumors: Kirby Dach Linked to Metropolitan Team

As the former No. 3 overall selection in the NHL Draft (2019), it was hoped that 6'4" center Kirby Dach would finally be ready, injury concerns behind him, to be a big contributor to the Montreal Canadiens this season.

But it just hasn't seemed to be a fit for Dach, as his slow start to the campaing has featured just one goal and eight points in 22 games, with a plus/minus rating of -18. His ice time is diminishing. With several games earlier in the 19 or 20-minute range, he was down to just 14½ in TOI the past couple of contests.

Is it time for the Habs to cut bait on the 24-year-old?

Insider Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast Friday morning, has suggested that the Pittsburgh Penguins would be the perfect fit to give Dach a chance to get a fresh start. It's well noted that GM Kyle Dubas is now into the 'make this team younger' phase, as he's looking for just this kind of former top prospect who needs a change.

If you're looking for guys that Kyle Dubas could look at and say, 'This is another one worth taking a shot at,' and what would he learn next to the likes of (Evgeni) Malkin and (Sidney) Crosby? I can't help but wonder about Kirby Dach being that kind of a guy.

Friedman adds that he hasn't particularly heard that the Penguins have asked about Dach, but it certainly makes sense that he'd be on Dubas's radar.

The Pens recently traded for Philip Tomasino, a former first-rounder who just hasn't found his footing yet in the NHL, and they are among the favorites to land notable trade candidate David Jiricek, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 Draft who the Columbus Blue Jackets are ready to give up on.

Dach would clearly fit that mold.

The 2022-23 season seemed to possibly be a turning point for Dach, as he registered career highs with 14 goals and 38 points in 58 games while playing 18:30 a night for Montreal, but knee surgery wiped out his 2023-24 season after just two games.