The Montreal Canadiens had a busy draft day in 2022. Not only were they hosting the draft, but they also drafted first overall for the first time since 1980 when the team took Doug Wickenheiser.
The Canadiens were going to be busy, and they were drafting 11 players at the draft including four in the first two rounds with players like Juraj Slafkovsky, Filip Mesar, Owen Beck and Lane Hutson. The Canadiens did more than draft though as they also made a big trade that was a smart call for the future of the franchise.
The Montreal Canadiens made a draft-day trade to acquire former 2019 third overall pick Kirby Dach, this was a smart call for the team.
The Montreal Canadiens are taking a gamble on Kirby Dach, and I am not going to lie, I am totally okay with that. The Canadiens made a big trade on draft day, and let’s go over the details:
The Canadiens sent a first-round draft pick and a third-round pick to Chicago for a former third-overall pick that can get into their lineup this season and hopefully make a home for himself for a long time.
The team has a lot of young players already in their lineup and now they are adding another piece for the future of the franchise. Now all they need to do is sign him to a contract for next season and beyond and it shouldn’t be all that expensive.
Here are Dach’s stats so far in his career:
The Montreal Canadiens turned two draft picks into a former third overall pick. While I know Canadiens fans do not want to be reminded of this player, this move helps make up for losing Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Kotkaniemi was the 2018 third overall pick who was also a center. Now the franchise has the 2019 third overall pick and they can expect good things for the future of the team.
Dach might not be the strongest center, but the Canadiens can work with him or eventually look to move him to a wing on a line with someone like Cole Caufield. The Canadiens are building a championship roster, and the core group is already taking shape.