Latest news with #KirbyDach
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Montreal Canadiens 24 year old forward questionable to start season
Montreal Canadiens 24 year old forward questionable to start season originally appeared on The Sporting News The Montreal Canadiens have received some unfortunate news as 24 year old forward Kirby Dach is likely to miss the start of training camp as he continues to rehab from knee surgery recovery according to Maxime Truman. Dach has struggled with injuries throughout his 6 year NHL career thus far. This latest setback is a result of a knee injury sustained last season that forced him to have surgery 5 months ago. This is not the first serious injury Kirby has had in his young career. He dealt with a wrist injury in 2020 sustained while playing for Team Canada in the 2020 World Juniors tournament. He then had his first knee surgery done in 2023 after he tore his ACL in a game against his former club the Chicago Blackhawks. Kirby recorded 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 57 games last season with the Habs. He has been with the organization since the 22-23 season when he was traded there from Chicago in exchange for a 1st round draft pick that became Frank Nazar. Throughout his stint in Montreal, similar to Chicago, Dach has shown promise when healthy but has consistently faced health setbacks. This begs the question of what the Montreal Canadiens do at center if Kirby Dach is not ready to go by the start of the season. The Habs are still hoping Dach can be their 2C of the future. But if these injury issues persist in the future they may need to go another route to plug this hole in the lineup or hope the solution is somewhere within the organization.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Kirby Dach's recovery timeline raises doubts about return for Montreal Canadiens' 2025–26 NHL season opener
Tony Gutierrez/AP Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach may not be ready for the start of the 2025–26 NHL season, as recovery from his knee surgery is reportedly still ongoing. According to a new report, the 24-year-old has yet to fully heal from the procedure he underwent after suffering an injury in late February. Concerns are now growing about his availability for opening night. Kirby Dach recovery timeline casts doubt on Montreal Canadiens lineup for 2025–26 NHL opening night The uncertainty around Kirby Dach's recovery gained traction after journalist Maxime Truman reported that the forward is still not fully recovered. That report was further supported by comments from an orthopedic surgeon, who spoke to HFTV, stating that the general recovery window for a professional athlete after such a procedure is between 6–9 months. However, the surgeon added that if it was a repeat surgery, the recovery timeline could be even longer. Considering Dach's injury occurred near the end of February, the standard timeline places his return somewhere between late August and November. While there remains a chance that Dach could return in time for the Montreal Canadiens' season opener, it is far from guaranteed. His actual availability will depend heavily on when he resumes skating and how his knee responds in the coming weeks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Back Pain Treatments That Might Surprise You! Back Pain Treatment | Search Ads Undo Montreal Canadiens urged to prioritize Kirby Dach's long-term health over early NHL return after knee injury While Canadiens fans hope to see Dach in the lineup on opening night, many believe the organization should exercise caution. A rushed return could risk aggravating the injury or causing long-term setbacks. Several observers, including Truman, emphasized the importance of allowing Dach to recover fully before rejoining the team. Dach, originally drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019, was traded to the Canadiens in 2022 and has since become a key piece in Montreal's rebuilding efforts. Ensuring his long-term health is viewed as essential not just for the current season but for the franchise's future success. Although having Kirby Dach ready for the 2025–26 NHL season opener would benefit the Montreal Canadiens, the focus remains on his complete recovery. With his long-term value to the team in mind, both the medical staff and front office are expected to proceed with caution, prioritizing health over haste. Also Read: Toronto Maple Leafs ink William Villeneuve to new contract for 2025–26 season after breakout AHL year Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could Ivan Demidov Be The Canadiens' Second Line Center?
Generations of kids spent their childhood trying to answer the question 'Where's Waldo?', but that was an easy task compared to trying to answer the interrogation that's on the mind of every Montreal Canadiens' fan this offseason: Who will be the Habs' second line center? Depending on who you ask, the replies go from Kirby Dach to Zach Bolduc to 'Kent Hughes is just about to pull a big trade, I can feel it!' or even to: Ivan Demidov would be the perfect fit at the second line pivot. Advertisement Islanders' Sorokin Shocked By Dobson's Trade To The Canadiens Canadiens' 2025-26 Schedule Revealed Ex-Canadiens Goalie Signed NHL's Most Unique Off-Season Deal But what does the man himself believe? Well, unlike what has been reported in the last day or so, Demidov has never said that it was outside of the realm of possibilities that he would play center and that it wasn't something that interested him at all. According to Marco D'Amico, the young Russian said he would have to see if he could play at center. He has done it in the past, as a junior player, but never in the KHL. Humble as they come, Demidov also added that face-offs would be the key factor, and he doesn't always win them. The rookie will play wherever the Canadiens ask him to play, but he's not confident that he could play center in the NHL. He didn't say anything controversial, and any claims that he might have an attitude problem are false. He didn't refuse to work on his draws this offseason either. Advertisement I don't know how the idea could even be entertained given the fact that the player has elected to stay in Montreal this Summer and is diligently putting in the hours at the Canadiens' Brossard training facilities instead of enjoying the sunshine and the scorching weather. Last weekend, he even appeared in a shootout showcase in Boisbriand to please the fans, and he's also set to play in the Living Sisu LSHL three-on-three league this Summer. Could Demidov end up being the Canadiens' second-line center? Maybe, but right now, it doesn't seem likely, especially given the fact that the youngster typically doesn't lack confidence, and he confesses he doesn't know how good he could be playing that position. Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story. Advertisement Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @ and Threads @karinehains. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Montreal Canadiens' second-line center hunt may extend into 2026 free agency
Montreal Canadiens (via Getty Images) As the summer passes, it's looking more and more probable the Montreal Canadiens will start the 2025–26 season with Kirby Dach as their second-line center. While there remains some ambiguity with regards to his consistency and health, Dach is still the fallback option, not because he's the optimum choice, but because no one else has proven to be an upgrade. Will Montreal search for second-line center to move to free agency in 2026? John Tavares remained true to Toronto. Jonathan Toews returned home sentimentally to Winnipeg. Mikael Granlund went west to Anaheim, and Pius Suter went to St. Louis. Even Christian Dvorak, who wasn't kept by Montreal, was able to secure an unexpected $5.4 million AAV deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Peeking ahead, the 2026 UFA class at center could be deep—at least on paper. Connor McDavid , Jack Eichel, and Anze Kopitar top the list. Can one of them end up in Montreal? Connor McDavid departing the Edmonton Oilers seems unlikely unless the team experiences a catastrophic collapse. The Search for a 2nd Line Center.. Even with consecutive Cup Final losses, allowing the world's best player to leave would be franchise-defining. Eichel is more interesting. If Vegas disappoints and McDavid becomes an option, the Golden Knights could retool. They're not afraid of big gambles—they've taken them before. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The RFA market is always tempting but never rewarding. Martin Necas, Logan Cooley, Leo Carlsson, and even Connor Bedard might theoretically be available—if not signed. But let's be real: offer sheets are toxic in the NHL today. Not many GMs are eager for the heat that accompanies them, and Montreal's Kent Hughes has demonstrated no willingness to do it. That leaves trades—and those aren't easy. Also read: NHL trade buzz: Montreal Canadiens targeting $50M Tampa Bay Lightning star Anthony Cirelli to strengthen Ultimately, the Canadiens might just have to do things the hard way: draft, develop, and wait. It's not flashy, and it sure as heck won't placate a fanbase famished for progress. But the reality is, there's no magic pill for a second-line center. Until Hage, Beck, or someone else in-house takes the leap—or the 2026 market produces an unexpected card—the Dach Plan is the most viable option on the table. It's a risk, but it may be the only one remaining to play—at the moment. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Vancouver Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canadiens Notebook: Kirby Dach skating after second knee surgery
Canadiens forward Kirby Dach , who had surgery on his right knee for the second straight year in late February, was on the ice Wednesday at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. Dach skated with Adam Nicholas, the Canadiens' director of hockey development, and Jack Gorton, the son of Jeff Gorton, the team's executive vice-president of hockey operations. Jack Gorton plays at Boston University. After Dach had his second knee surgery, the Canadiens said they expected him to have a full recovery before the start of next season. Canadiens' Kirby Dach - recovering from knee surgery - on the ice now in Brossard #Habs Dach, 24, was limited to 57 games last season, posting 10-12-22 totals and a team-worst minus-29, before the knee injury ended his season. The previous year, Dach suffered a knee injury in the second game of the season and required surgery to repair torn ACL and MCL ligaments. The first surgery was performed in New York by Dr. Robert Marx. The second surgery was performed in Montreal by Dr. Thierry Pauyo. When Jeff Gorton was asked about Dach's status ahead of last Friday's NHL Draft, he said: 'Kirby Dach's summer has been really good. We saw him … he came into town about 10 days ago. He was here for a week working out and seeing the doctors. He looks great and ahead of schedule. So, so far so good.' In a perfect world for the Canadiens, Dach would fully recover from his second knee injury and become the team's second-line centre next season. Dach struggled on faceoffs last season, winning only 40.3 per cent of his draws. In 2022-23, when Dach played 58 games with the Canadiens and posted 14-24-38 totals, he won only 38.3 per cent of his faceoffs. The Canadiens lost veteran centre Christian Dvorak to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday when he signed a one-year, US$5.4- million contract as a free agent. Dvorak won 55.8 per cent of his faceoffs last season and was also a key player on the penalty-kill. When general manager Kent Hughes met with the media on Tuesday he said he asked all the Canadiens forwards to work on faceoffs during the off-season, regardless of what position they play. 'As much as anything in the modern game, I feel centres, it's about faceoffs,' Hughes said. 'Because they switch positions, first guy back defends, those types of responsibilities are shared. The one thing that's not (shared) is faceoffs. So we're beating the drum with all of our guys that it's an important thing to work on in the off-season when you have time.' Hughes also said Tuesday that he expects Alex Newhook to start next season as a centre. Newhook won only 42.8 per cent of his faceoff last season. Jake Evans won 52.9 per cent of his faceoffs last season, while Nick Suzuki won 51.6 per cent. The Canadiens announced Wednesday that they have signed forward Sean Farrell to a one-year, two-way contract. Farrell, 23, was selected by the Canadiens in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft. He played six games with the Canadiens at the end of the 2022-23 season after leaving Harvard University, scoring one goal, and has been with the AHL's Laval Rocket ever since. Last season, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound left-winger had 20-24-44 totals in 67 regular-season games with the Rocket and added 3-7-10 totals in 13 playoff games. The Canadiens also announced Wednesday that they have signed defenceman Marc Del Gaizo to a one-year, two-way contract. The 25-year-old played 46 games last season with the Nashville Predators, posting 2-7-9 totals. The right-shot defenceman, who is 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, also played 30 games with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, posting 8-4-12 totals. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard's days with the Canadiens are over. The Pittsburgh Penguins signed the 26-year-old left-winger to a one-year, US$775,000 contract as a free agent on Wednesday. Harvey-Pinard only played one game with the Canadiens last season. In 40 games with the Rocket, he posted 5-14-19 totals. Un gars d'ici avec du coeur au ventre. Merci pour tout, Raf, et bonne chance à Pittsburgh! A hometown kid who left it all out there. Wishing RHP all the best in Pittsburgh! Harvey-Pinard missed the start of last season after requiring surgery to repair a fractured leg he suffered playing softball last July. He was playing centre-field when another player collided with him. The Canadiens selected Harvey-Pinard in the seventh round (207th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. During the 2022-23 season he scored 14 goals in 34 games with the Canadiens after getting called up from the Rocket and then cashed in by signing a two-year, US$2.2-million contract. He only scored two goals in 46 games over two seasons with the Canadiens after signing that contract. Former Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta is thrilled to be a Toronto Maple Leaf after signing a two-year, US$1.63-million contract as a free agent on Tuesday. Pezzetta is from Toronto and grew up as a huge Maple Leafs fan. 'We were a Leafs household,' he told Toronto media in a video conference after posting a photo on social media of him and his brother as young kids wearing Leafs sweaters. 'That was our first Christmas getting our Leafs jerseys. It's hard not to get stoked about playing for the Leafs when you're from Toronto. My mom is super-stoked that I get to stay home. It has been a while.' Meant to be for Michael Pezzetta 🔵⚪️ Pezzetta, 27, only played 25 games with the Canadiens last season and had no points. The previous season, the 6-foot-1, 219-pounder played 63 games, posting 3-9-12 totals and led the Canadiens with 242 hits despite averaging only 7:48 of ice time per game. 'It gives us some more depth and he has a skill set in terms of his physicality,' Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving told Toronto media about Pezzetta. 'He has good foot speed and is able to get in on the forecheck. Certainly, he's an excellent teammate. Those are the boxes he checks and we're happy to have him.' It will be interesting to see Pezzetta and fellow tough-guy and friend Arber Xhekaj on opposite sides when the Maple Leafs and Canadiens meet next season. Pezzetta realizes he isn't guaranteed a spot with the Maple Leafs. 'They have a great team and I want to earn my roster spot,' he said. 'I know that come (training) camp time, it's not just a given that I have a spot. The style of game I play is different than a lot of the guys and hopefully that can be an 'X' factor.' Michael Pezzetta and Ryan Reaves are both Leafs Pezzetta has 14 NHL fights and has dropped the gloves before with Ryan Reaves , who he will now be battling with for a job in Toronto. 'No hard feelings,' Pezzetta said. 'A few guys have to do their job and any time you meet guys like that off the ice, they tend to be the nicest. I look forward to meeting him and all the rest of the guys.' Hughes made it pretty clear on Tuesday that he's not planning to trade 31-year-old defenceman Mike Matheson, who is heading into the final season of his contract with a US$4.875-million salary-cap hit. When asked about Matheson's value to the team, Hughes said: 'Well, where did he finish in the league in minutes played? Top 10.' Matheson led the Canadiens and ranked seventh in the NHL with an average of 25:07 of ice time per game. 'So, obviously, our coaching staff rely on him,' Hughes said. 'We're young still. We value his experience and value what he does for our team. We have a puzzle to put together and we're going to try to do that, so we'll see where that goes.' Holy moly, Mike Matheson! 🤩 What a stellar shorthanded goal! Last season, Matheson had 6-25-31 totals in 80 games and was minus-6. While he lost his spot on the first power-play unit to rookie Lane Hutson, Matheson led the Canadiens in short-handed ice time with an average of 3:28 per game and ranked second in blocked shots with 168, trailing only David Savard with 180. The Canadiens ranked ninth in the NHL in penalty-killing last season with an 80.9 per cent success rate. Matheson also ranked second on the Canadiens in giveaways with 107, two fewer than Hutson.
