Is This The End For This Habs Player?!

Kirby Dach is hurt… again.

The Montreal Canadiens forward is out 2–4 weeks with an upper-body injury, raising serious questions about his future in Montreal. With Dach set to become a restricted free agent (RFA) at the end of the season, Kent Hughes and the Habs front office have a major decision to make.

Can the Canadiens trust Kirby Dach to stay healthy long-term? Or is it time to pivot as younger players like Owen Beck, Michael Hage, and others push for roster spots?

In this video, Shaun Starr and Marco D’Amico break down:

Dach’s injury history and durability concerns

His fit in the Canadiens' rebuild timeline

Contract options as an RFA

Internal competition from rising prospects

What the Habs SHOULD do this offseason

Is Kirby Dach still part of the future… or is his time in Montreal running out?

🔔 Subscribe for daily Montreal Canadiens coverage, trade rumors, and rebuild analysis.

#Canadiens #GoHabsGo #KirbyDach

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

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SPEAKER_02 2:35

Yeah, and I mean, Ken Hughes said it yesterday. He feels like uh, you know, Kirby Doc is very unlucky because the injuries he gets are not necessarily your typical kind of injury, but I've said it before and I've said it again. I uh, you know, health in the NHL is is partly luck, but it's also partly strategy. It's all on how you protect yourself. And unfortunately, Kirby Doc hasn't really done a good job of that in his NHL career and he's kind of paid for it. His most recent injury could keep him out basically until the playoffs, right? Two four weeks will bring him basically to the last game of the season, which is against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philly on the road. Um, if and knowing if the Canadians do clinch, there would be no rush to really bring him back in anyway. Uh, you would basically try to reinsert him for the playoffs. But Sean, I just got to think to myself, right? Is this was this the final straw for the Canadians when it comes to Kirby Doc?

SPEAKER_00 3:33

Marco, it's the money question. As we've spoken about on our live show, you know, following the the loss to Anaheim on on Monday afternoon, you and I, you know, we talk about, and you brought up the RFA status and how much money he's looking at in terms of a qualifying offer. Is there is there a compromise there? Marco, he's in his seventh season, he hasn't played a complete year in any of these seven seasons, including this year, right? And uh obviously the trust factor, the uncertainty is very legitimate. I think it's a very credible question to ask. And let me throw it back at you for a second, right? Ken Hughes and Jeff Gordon are trying to build something, they're trying to get this team back to the promised land, trying to be you know annual contenders atop the conference, let alone their own division, and legitimately fight for a Stanley Cup. And they're building towards that. Yeah, so let's bring the word trust back into the conversation. How can you plan for something? And with the understanding, there are no guarantees in life, but how do you try to plan and put your best foot forward, knowing that Kirby Doc, end of the day, it's not personal, he is an injury prone player. End of the day, how do you plan for that, Marco?

SPEAKER_02 4:44

You can't, and I think in in today's NHL, like you need depth, absolutely, but you can't build out a team knowing that you're gonna be missing this player for half the season and on at the minimum, every single time. You can't, and you can't build out a top nine thinking that that kind of a player will always will forever be there. And it sucks because Kirby Doc is a fun player to be around. Um, you know, not necessarily uh the most outgoing person when it comes to interviews, but never another very disrespectful person and a really good teammate, uh, you know, to the to most of the core in there. And he's you know, so that's there's no ill personal will when I say this. It's just the Canadians are at a different point in their in their process where it's about taking that next step. And of the players that have been there since the you know, since the start of this rebuild, you gotta think that Kirby Doc is one of the very few that hasn't taken a step at all. You know, even Alex Newhook has seemingly become a different player this year, and I just I don't see it with with with Kirby. And you know, I feel like the role that he's being he's taking up right now, like when he's healthy, I don't dislike the way he plays that that power forward winger role. I don't dislike it. But when the qualifying offer is four million dollars this summer, I don't know how the Canadians can do that. I don't know how the Canadians can afford to fork over four million dollars. I think either Kirby Doc accepts to not be qualified and signs at a very low number, or the Canadians move on and find more sandpaper for their for their bottom six, because at a time where they need to get more physical and more intense, you know, you need players that are able to do so without the risk of injury at every single point of contact.

SPEAKER_00 6:40

You bring up the subject of the top six. And for me, if you're projecting a couple of years down the road when the Canadians don't have Brendan Gallagher under contract anymore, and Josh Anderson's time as a Montreal Canadian uh maybe comes to an end, you know, trying to predict the future. Yep, I bring back again. I mean, if you believe, because Kirby Dock at center is I think that that ship is sailed, right? So if we're talking about a winger move moving forward, for an injury prone player that maybe, you know, in year seven, if we're talking about a guy in year eight, year nine, how can I sit here and debate with you the fact that no, no, he's the guy that could play the play play on the wing in a bottom six role when you and I keep talking about this team needs to get more jam from their bottom six. You can't we can't sit here and and seriously have a credible conversation about him fulfilling that role, not here, not today, not ever. And then that's why I'm led down the path to believe that I don't even think a compromise, Marco, if they don't want to qualify him and they they want him on a three-year deal and he's willing to stay here uh at a team-friendly number, I think the Canadians have options to me that are more interesting to explore.

SPEAKER_02 7:47

I 100% agree. I think, for example, signing Alex Texier puts a significant uh strain on the the ability for Kirby Doc to play that role on a regular basis.

SPEAKER_01 8:00

Right.

SPEAKER_02 8:00

Um, I think the arrival of Michael Hage will also impact his ability to get meaningful minutes. I think we're gonna start getting to a point with the Canadians where they're gonna have a lot of talent in the top six that's gonna spill into the to the third line, and it's going to force the Canadians to have to revamp their bottom six in a way where they can be both talented but also physically imposing and competitive so that they're not chasing the game and they're not running after the play and and they're not being taken advantage of uh in the offense in the defensive zone, either along the boards or or down the middle. Like this is what you want to see from your bottom six. And I just don't feel like you're gonna be getting that from Kirby Doc. Like you're gonna get it from Alex Newhook. I think Alex Newhook is a great example of what you can get. Crash, bang, speed, shot, two-way awareness, everything you want in a third-line winger. Everything you want. A guy that can move up into your top six in a pinch. Like Alex Newhook has understood the assignment and has passed with flying colors. If it wasn't for his freak injury against the boards, he would be he would have had an exceptional season. And it's the thing with with a guy like Newhook is he's been injured the exact same way twice, where you know, his high like the the the ankle going up against the boards takes the damage. But it's not every single season that he gets injured, it happened twice. He's had many a full seasons in the NHL and in the NCAA. So it's it's more a question for me about being able to adapt. And he has done that very well, where he protects himself far better than he used to as a young player in the NA or a younger player in the NHL. I haven't seen that adaptation from from Kirby Doc. And I think if it's going to make it so that he's not going to be able to be a consistent member of a of a winning lineup, then you have to be able to spend that kind of money elsewhere. And you have to afford that roster spot to someone who is going to be available and as efficient, if not more, than the way that Kirby Doc has been playing.

SPEAKER_00 10:17

We're still talking about a player, though, that to me has broader appeal as potential more than it does as a proven player at the NHL level. Like people look at his physical makeup, they see that he's got speed, right? Um, they see that he can perhaps play multiple positions for your organization, whether it's here or outside of the Montreal market. And that's the point, right? Like he still has a broader appeal based on his potential than he does because you you walk me through it. When Kirby Doc is healthy, what what does he bring that makes I don't want to be harsh? It's not personal. I I wish nothing but the best for this player. I wish he'd play a healthy season, right? Uh, it's not a personal thing. I'm just questioning about walk me through when he's with the Canadians and he's healthy, how does he make this team better?

SPEAKER_02 11:08

Elite puck possession skills. That's what I like from him. I really liked his game before he got injured. In fact, if he could be that bottom six winger on a regular basis and stay healthy, I don't think the Montreal Canadians would have a problem bringing him back. The issue is not the talent, it's the health. And you bring up, you know, the the obviously the physical attributes. I mean, that's the reason why Chicago reached for him in 2019, is because it's a very rare package of being 6'4, skating the way he does, having that kind of reach. You know, he looked like a faster Ryan Getzlav in his draft year. And I think that's what attracted Chicago. But when the injuries started mounting up, Chicago decided to cut their losses and trade him, you know, for what ended up becoming the 13th overall pick. And that's what got them Matthew Nazar. Sorry, did I say Matthew Nazar? Frank Nazar. Yeah. Um, yeah, Ron, sorry, guys. And so Frank Nazar, another player that's dealing with with injuries and and you know, his own set of you know concerns when it comes to to health and consistency. But Kirby Doc, you know, unfortunately, you look at that trade, that's probably the only trade that you could outright say that Kent Hughes has lost since he's been general manager of the Montreal Canadians. It was a it was a decent gamble to make at the time because you would just hoped that what was happening with Kirby Doc was bad luck. Yeah. But unfortunately, what you got was a player that, even for the best of his abilities, even for the best of his desires, simply just could not evade the injury bug throughout his career and still has not shown an ability to do so. And so I've I believe the Canadians are going to have to cut their losses at this point, and they're going to have to move on. And, you know, it's unfortunate because I do really like Kirby and I wish him nothing but the best. And I hope that he's able to garner a market for himself if he comes back to the lineup and stays healthy in a playoff run. But I think for all intents and purposes, the Canadians are going to have to make tough decisions this summer about how they go about filling out their bottom six because I think that their bottom six, along with the bottom pair on defense, is one of their bigger organizational weaknesses that needs to be addressed if they are ever to go deeper in a playoff situation.

SPEAKER_00 13:32

So Kirby Doc is out two to four weeks, you know, gets hurt at the 330 minute marker of the first period Sunday. Uh as uh Hank is very much here for the Kirby Doc discussion. Um he's anxiously awaiting his return. But when that may be, inside that two to four week window, which could mean you know, he could miss four games, five games, could miss as many as 11 or 12. Um, your thoughts on how the Canadians go about this. I mean, how big of a beat are they missing? Are they marching out of sync? Alex Texay, Zachary Bullduk now will be, you know, no longer rotating as perhaps healthy scratches as they were when they had their full complement.

SPEAKER_02 14:11

I think that's a benefit that we weren't talking about. You know, I remember talking about uh who you we were asking who's the odd man out. Remember that question?

SPEAKER_01 14:19

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 14:19

Um right after the Olympics. And I was like, well, knock on wood that there's no injuries, but when there is going to be an injury, you're gonna be very happy that you had 14, if not 15 forwards available, because then it's just whoop swap one guy in and you don't miss a beat. Well, therein lies the value of a guy like Alex Texier, and I think it's perfect for the Canadians, and I think it'll it'll bode well for them in terms of being able to bring in that kind of a player and not miss a beat. But, you know, when it comes time to having to build out your roster, you just want to make sure that you have guys that are always going to be available and they're gonna be able to play different styles. I feel like right now in the Canadians bottom six, you either have defensive specialists or guys that are good two-way players with offensive ability that are just aren't good enough to be consistent top sixers, but you don't have the that crash and bang element. You don't have the what's the word, like the pest element, you don't have the gritty guys, exactly. Yeah, exactly. And so I feel like that to me, I would prioritize looking at that guys with talent that are also able to bring the physicality and the crash and bang so that they're able to impose their will on the opposition. I think that's what the next step, the next natural step for the Canadians. And I think a guy like Balzuk can eventually be one of those guys. Um, but I think they're gonna need to definitely add to that. In the meantime, I don't think that Alex Texier is a pushover by any stretch of the imagination, and he's a guy that uses, you know, his good physical, he has a pretty good frame as well. So I like the fact that they're able to use those guys. I just feel like when you look at the way that Kirby Doc plays, I don't believe that he's the kind of guy I think they're going to be able to count on to be able to do that long term.

SPEAKER_00 16:05

Uh, there's Marco Domico on Sean's Star. Uh, you can continue to support us as you have been. Thank you so much uh for the ongoing loyalty and supporting of the channel and seeing it grow tremendously. Uh, we've partnered with great Montreal local businesses like Cheapest T-shirts and Insta Customs. Order, design your own and get it shipped tomorrow, delivery the next day. Uh, the real deal at McLean's Pub. Marco and I will be there Sunday, March 29th when the Canadians play at Carolina. Hope you uh you can spend a few minutes, if not uh the entirety of the show with us. We'll be there at McLean's at 1420 Peel Street. Of course, the best in home security at Cablitel and the Steakhouse Duur of Star and Demico at Morellas on Highway 132, 15 minutes from Montreal. And of course, a special shout out as always uh to Little Bear Pet Supplies. As we wrap this discussion up, how complicated is it dealing with Kirby Dawkins in the hypothetical of we has as we have this conversation, knowing his his RFA status, how how challenging is it if management wants to move this player with with where he's at in the RFA future?

SPEAKER_02 17:09

Well, if there's a team that's willing to give him a qualifying offer of four million dollars, yeah, you know, we'll see. But I I just I don't know. I don't know. It's too soon to tell. Maybe if he if he returns from health and you know plays convincingly, maybe there's a market for him, but I I I'm not quite sure. I wouldn't bank on it, to be completely honest.

SPEAKER_00 17:30

All right, brother. Good stuff as always. Looking forward to our live show. We'll be here to recap the Canadians and the Boston Bruins uh Wednesday at noontime. Um, until then, brother, enjoy the rest of your day. And uh wish Kirby, listen, again, it's not personal. Wish Kirby Doc health. Love to see him play, you know, a full season, but you know, your management is trying to get this team over the line, and uh they got a plan for everything. Oh, maybe that's maybe that's uh breaking news.

SPEAKER_02 17:55

Well, it was uh it was uh it was a phone call. Uh I asked for a little bit more information on what's going on. But when it comes to when it comes to Kirby, again, like I feel like he could have a very fruitful career in the NHL, it's just a question of being able to ensure that he better protects himself and doesn't put himself in situations where he's going to be uh you know at the mercy of luck of lady luck. You know, if you're gonna be a shot blocker, then I would get I would, you know, I would add those shot blocking pads to your skates. If you're gonna be that guy that goes into the rush and and plays through traffic, then keep your head up a little bit more often, you know, like it's it's stuff like that where you want a player to protect themselves a little bit more because again, like I said, when Kirby Doc is healthy, I think he's an awesome puck possession power forward on the on the wing. Every team would like that. And you know, again, he's got the physical build that GM's drool over, but if you can't, if if you're not available, then unfortunately it's going to hurt your ability to be valuable to a team. And that and that is where you have to wonder whether Kent Hughes and Jeff Gordon, who are starting to get into the new phase of their of this rebuild with a little bit more expectation, are going to have to be a little bit more proactive in this regard.

SPEAKER_00 19:09

And that's the that's the plain Jane simple truth of it all. Uh well said. Uh Marco, thanks as always. We'll catch you on our live show Wednesday afternoon.

SPEAKER_02 19:16

Sounds great. Everybody have a good day.