What’s Kirby Dach’s real potential this season?

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  • #19314
    AmyRSM
    Participant

    It’s a gross understatement to say that this season is an important one for Kirby Dach…Jeff Gorton has mentioned that Dach looks strong in summer skates and so forth, but what’s everyone here thinking? There are some young guys in the organization waiting to really put him up to the challenge at training camp in September.

    Firstly – does he stay healthy this year? And if he does, what’s his actual potential at this stage?

    #19318
    Pat1993
    Participant

    Firstly – does he stay healthy this year? And if he does, what’s his actual potential at this stage?

    oh boy, so hard to say, if only I had a crystal ball lol…

    I think most agree this is a “do or die” season for Dach, so he absolutely has to stay healthy if he wants to put his career back on the right track. There’s a lot of pressure on him, but at the same time the expectations are at such a low point that he could very well become a pleasant surprise on that roster, although I think putting him on the wing would be ideal for him instead of giving him those 2nd line center responsibilities.

    #19319
    Mash
    Participant

    Firstly – does he stay healthy this year? And if he does, what’s his actual potential at this stage?

    For me, if he plays 75+ games and is in the 25g-25a/50p range that will be a success.

    The biggest thing for Dach is going to be how he gels with Laine (not worried about Demidov). If Laine and Dach do not work well together, that will force major changes to all the lines (well, probably not the CC/Suzuki/Slaf line).

    I think the Habs give him 1st shot at the 2nd line center for about a month, but if it does not work out, would not be surprised to see him move wing in favour of a Kapenen or experimenting with a Bolduc / Demidov.

    I do not see the Habs trading for a 2nd line center if Dach does not succeed. Unless it is a clear upgrade / long-term value hockey deal, but there is not much out there right now. Maybe injuries or panic by a team that does not have a good start changes that, otherwise I have my doubts a deal is out there.

    #19320
    Mash
    Participant

    the expectations are at such a low point that he could very well become a pleasant surprise

    I agree, the expectation are fairly low on Dach for him to have some form of success – could be as easy as playing 70+ games.

    But the expectation on the second line center are pretty high.

    So I think he will be in a fairly high pressure situation, if he is indeed named the 2nd line center.

    #19321
    Pat1993
    Participant

    the expectations are at such a low point that he could very well become a pleasant surprise

    I agree, the expectation are fairly low on Dach for him to have some form of success – could be as easy as playing 70+ games.

    But the expectation on the second line center are pretty high.

    So I think he will be in a fairly high pressure situation, if he is indeed named the 2nd line center.

    yeah, hopefully for him and the team in general he’ll be able to find chemistry with his linemates, if Dach does have success centering the 2nd line, all of a sudden the habs just solved their most glaring weakness at the moment.

    #19332
    monsieurchicken
    Participant

    I think they should put Dach on the wing on the bottom six, just like what they did with Josh anderson. Newhook starts on that 2nd line as the C. At least the guy can skate. Demidov can create plays by himself, he does not need his C to do that part.

    so : Caufield, Suzuki, Slaf
    Bolduc, Newhook, Demidov
    Gallagher, Evans, Anderson
    Dach, Beck, Laine
    Blais-Veleno

    #19335
    Pat1993
    Participant

    I think they should put Dach on the wing on the bottom six, just like what they did with Josh anderson. Newhook starts on that 2nd line as the C. At least the guy can skate. Demidov can create plays by himself, he does not need his C to do that part.

    so : Caufield, Suzuki, Slaf
    Bolduc, Newhook, Demidov
    Gallagher, Evans, Anderson
    Dach, Beck, Laine
    Blais-Veleno

    yeah, that could happen but I think they should/will give Dach a try first, he has more potential than Newhook imho.

    #19473
    tom6076
    Participant

    I an not sure where he will fit in this coming season, due to his medical issues. He has essentially missed most of two seasons and has had major surgery on the same knee twice in that time. Is it reasonable for him to perform as he did during that short time before the first knee injury? He was awesome then! Can be perform at that level now, after the operations? I feel that he will need time to get back to where he was. Think about how Caufield essentially needed a season after his surgery. I suspect Dack will need that kind of time, but I suspect that he will not be given that kind of time to get back to where he was. I am thinking that the organization and perhaps that fan base will not allow him that time. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if he plays like the pre-injury Dach? I am just not expecting that from him out of the gate in training camp and the start of the season.

    #19646
    AmyRSM
    Participant

    I an not sure where he will fit in this coming season, due to his medical issues. He has essentially missed most of two seasons and has had major surgery on the same knee twice in that time. Is it reasonable for him to perform as he did during that short time before the first knee injury? He was awesome then! Can be perform at that level now, after the operations? I feel that he will need time to get back to where he was. Think about how Caufield essentially needed a season after his surgery. I suspect Dack will need that kind of time, but I suspect that he will not be given that kind of time to get back to where he was. I am thinking that the organization and perhaps that fan base will not allow him that time. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if he plays like the pre-injury Dach? I am just not expecting that from him out of the gate in training camp and the start of the season.

    I agree that he likely won’t have as much leeway when it comes to getting his performance back up to par this year…Jeff Gorton has all but said he’ll be on a shorter leash. Fingers are crossed that he’s finally turned a corner (and can stay healthy), but I’m also more in the “I’ll believe it when I see it” camp.

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