The Montreal Canadiens face a critical decision regarding Kirby Dach‘s contract as he enters the final year of his deal this season. NHL insider Brian Wilde explained on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro that Dach’s future with the Canadiens depends largely on his health and ability to meet expectations on the ice.
Challenges Surrounding Dach’s Role and Trade Value
During the podcast, Tony Marinaro questioned what might happen with Kirby Dach if he remains injured or fails to perform this season. Brian Wilde pointed out that Dach’s value in any potential trade would drop significantly if his performance does not improve.
“What happens to Dach if he’s either still injured or does not live up to the expectations this season, traded or released?” —dach marinaro
“Well, you’re getting nothing for him if he doesn’t play well, right? I mean, then that ends up being a really tough trade. Yeah, and this is year four, and you’ve gotten really very little for him.” —Brian Wilde, NHL Insider
Despite these challenges, Wilde noted that the Canadiens are committed to giving Dach every opportunity to succeed this season. This commitment includes providing him with strong linemates, significant power-play time, and advantageous matchups on the ice.
“They will be so reluctant, because, like the general manager, definitely, doesn’t want this one to go sour,” Wilde said. “He’s going to get every opportunity to come through and be a good hockey player this year. They’re going to give him every chance.”
“He’s going to get offensive zone starts. They’re going to do absolutely anything they possibly can to give him value so they can either trade him or renew him or not look bad that they traded for him.” —Brian Wilde, NHL Insider
Kirby Dach’s Performance and Contract Details
Kirby Dach’s current contract with the Montreal Canadiens is valued at $13.45 million over four years, carrying a $3.36 million salary cap hit. This deal expires following the 2025-26 season, after which Dach will become a restricted free agent. He was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022 to serve as a second-line center.
However, Dach has yet to fully meet the expectations placed upon him since joining the Canadiens. He has never played more than 58 games in a season with the team, competing in 57 games during the 2024-25 campaign, where he scored 10 goals and tallied 12 assists. His progress has been hampered by two consecutive season-ending knee injuries.
The Canadiens continue to seek a reliable top-six center and additional penalty killers, roles that could be covered internally if Dach cannot establish consistency. His most productive season came in 2022-23, when he tallied 38 points across 58 games.
Implications for Canadiens’ Future Plans
Montreal ended the 2024-25 season with a 40-31-11 record and is hopeful that Dach can maintain both his health and offensive output throughout the upcoming season. His ability to perform reliably will heavily influence the team‘s decision on whether to trade him or offer a contract extension.
For now, the Canadiens are focused on maximizing Dach’s value, either by positioning him as a key player on the roster or by leveraging his potential in trade negotiations. The organization’s efforts to support him reflect General Manager Kent Hughes’ investment since acquiring him, highlighting how important this season will be for Dach’s future with Montreal.