Healthy Dach Pivotal for Canadiens Success in 2024-25

During the recent Montreal Canadiens golf outing, forward Kirby Dach told the press that he was entering the 2024-25 season "100% healthy" after only playing two games last year due to an MCL and ACL injury in his right knee.

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The former third-overall pick has yet to see his career take off like other top picks, with just 99 points in 212 games.

After a rocky beginning with the Chicago Blackhawks, who drafted him in 2019, he came to Montreal for the start of the 2022-23 campaign and had his best season as a professional, with 14 goals and 38 points in 58 games.

Looking back, the Canadiens sacrificed a first-round pick (2022) and a third-round pick (2023) for Dach, who has only played 60 games with the team.

Heading into the new season, he's likely to skate on the second line, centering newly acquired winger Patrik Laine. As a skilled passer, there's an opportunity to develop chemistry with the former 40-goal scorer with a shooting mentality.

Dach's deal carries a $3.3 million annual salary, and he has two seasons left; these next two seasons will be pivotal for his development (he's only 23) and the Canadiens' progression up the NHL standings.

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Last year, Montreal had eight scorers who reached double the number of goals. Dach provided the fans a glimpse of what's capable of with 14 the previous season.

Although he won't be required to lead the offense on whatever line he's centering, Dach can be a top-five or top-three on the roster when paired with the right snipper, in this case, Laine.

Having a healthy Dach ahead of the 2024-25 season is a positive thing for Martin St. Louis and the Canadiens as they continue to push forward and move out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

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