The Montreal Canadiens’ young forward Kirby Dach has found himself at the center of a heated debate after a prominent team analyst proposed a major change to address his recent struggles. Dach, who was acquired in a high-profile trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, has shown flashes of brilliance since joining the Canadiens but has also faced consistency issues, leaving some questioning his role on the team.

The analyst, whose proposal has sparked widespread discussion, suggested that the Canadiens consider moving Dach to the wing instead of keeping him at center—a position he has primarily played throughout his career. The argument centers on the idea that Dach’s size, speed, and playmaking ability could be better utilized on the wing, where he might face less defensive responsibility and have more freedom to create offensive opportunities.

The proposal comes at a critical time for the Canadiens, who are in the midst of a rebuilding phase and looking to maximize the potential of their young core. Dach, at just 22 years old, is still viewed as a player with immense upside, but his struggles to consistently produce points and dominate games have raised concerns.

The analyst pointed to Dach’s performance in key moments, noting that while he has shown glimpses of his talent, he has yet to fully establish himself as a reliable top-6 forward. “Kirby has all the tools to be a star in this league,” the analyst said. “But sometimes a change in role or position can unlock that potential. Moving him to the wing could take some pressure off him defensively and allow him to focus on what he does best—creating offense.”

The idea has divided fans and analysts alike, with some praising the creativity of the proposal and others questioning whether it would truly address Dach’s challenges. Critics argue that Dach’s struggles are more about confidence and consistency than his position, pointing to his strong two-way play and ability to control the puck in tight spaces as reasons to keep him at center.

Supporters of the move, however, believe that a shift to the wing could reignite his offensive game and provide him with a fresh start. The Canadiens’ coaching staff, led by Martin St. Louis, has yet to publicly comment on the proposal, but it’s clear that Dach’s development remains a key focus for the organization.

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Kirby Dach’s future with the Canadiens is a topic of intense interest. Whether the team decides to keep him at center or experiment with him on the wing, the stakes are high. For Dach, this could be a pivotal moment in his career—a chance to prove his critics wrong and solidify his place as a cornerstone of the Canadiens’ rebuild.

For the organization, it’s a test of their ability to develop young talent and make bold decisions in the pursuit of long-term success. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Dach and the Canadiens’ leadership to see how they handle this intriguing situation. Will a position change be the key to unlocking Kirby Dach’s full potential, or is it just a temporary fix for a deeper issue? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Canadiens are committed to finding the best path forward for their young star.

How Dach, Canadiens are keeping injury from becoming wasted development opportunity - Sportsnet.ca

It has certainly been a disappointing season for Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach. Returning from a major knee injury, the player who was once considered a serious competitor to Nick Suzuki for the top center position on the Canadiens does not seem to be on the right track.

His -29 plus-minus rating tells part of the story, but it is primarily his level of effort that has been criticized by many.

That being said, the excellent journalist Anthony Marcotte from BPM Sports has put forward an intriguing proposal involving Dach.

It could help revive Patrik Laine, and it could also allow us to see the true potential of Kirby Dach, but it also seems like a bold change.

Swapping Kirby Dach and Nick Suzuki on the Lines: Anthony Marcotte’s Proposal

Check out the relevant excerpt:

“I would swap the centers. Let’s try something!

Let’s put Dach and Slafkovsky together.

We’ve already seen some great flashes when Dach is at his best, alongside Slafkovsky, two years ago.

I’d like to see that again, that combination, and see if we can create something interesting with Caufield!

I have no problem separating Caufield and Suzuki from time to time. We know they’ll eventually reunite, but sometimes it can be healthy for a locker room to break certain habits at 5-on-5.”

– Anthony Marcotte, noting that Suzuki and Laine have never played together so far.

This would result in the following lines:

“Laine-Suzuki-Newhook

Caufield-Dach-Slafkovsky”

 

Do you like the idea?

Marcotte suggested it a bit before the Four Nations Faceoff. Of course, for this to happen, Kirby Dach will need to recover from his injury, which was announced by the Canadiens in the past few hours.