As the NHL regular season approaches, the spotlight in Montréal is firmly on roster battles. While goaltender Sam Montembeault fights for his crease, the biggest question mark surrounds forward Kirby Dach and his uncertain future with the Canadiens.
What Happened
Dach's position in Montréal has faced speculation for months. Back in June, multiple teams reportedly offered a second-round draft pick for the young forward. However, the Canadiens held firm, demanding immediate roster help in return or holding out to use Dach as leverage for a bigger acquisition.
Montréal even used an aggressive contract tactic this summer, turning Dach's $4 million qualifying offer into a two-way deal to negotiate down his price. While the message was received, the team still believes in his raw potential and high-end skill set. With training camps underway, the Habs are under no immediate pressure to make a move, especially since internal competition like Florian Xhekaj remains waiver-exempt.
Why It Matters
Despite Montréal's patience, external interest is heating up fast. Sources indicate that both the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames are closely monitoring Dach's availability.
The interest from Edmonton is particularly intense. Oilers GM Stan Bowman originally drafted Dach third overall in Chicago back in 2019, and he strongly believes that poor injury luck has prevented the 6-foot-4 forward from realizing his full ceiling. Edmonton views Dach as a prime target, whether they pull off a trade before puck drop, wait until the March 1 trade deadline, or pursue him down the line.
Meanwhile, Highway 2 rivals Calgary are actively hunting for a true number-one center. Dach fits the Flames' age demographic and playing style, prompting them to check in with Montréal's front office since camps opened.
What's Next
Right now, Montréal holds all the cards. The Canadiens can afford to give Dach time to shake off a quiet camp and rediscover his form.
However, with two aggressive divisional rivals lurking and waiting to capitalize on any misstep, the clock is ticking for Montréal to figure out if Dach fits into their long-term plans—or if they will cash in on the heavy trade interest coming out of Western Canada.
