Canadiens Sign Kirby Dach to 4-Year Contract Extension

The Montreal Canadiens have locked up forward Kirby Dach to a four-year deal with a $3.3625 million AAV. The center was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade earlier this offseason, was an RFA and he’ll get a chance to show he’s more than the early projections that pegged him to be a top-six center in the NHL.

The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a four-year contract (2022-23 to 2025-26) with forward Kirby Dach.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/L2BN8cz076

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 7, 2022

Just a day ago, Elliotte Friedman of the 32 Thoughts podcast said, “I think Dach is pretty far down the road, if not done. Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a 4-yr deal, around the $3.5M range. I think Montreal might be trying to do some other things before getting Dach officially done.” The player comes in just under that, but it’s still a nice payday considering Dach has never surpassed 26 points in a single season and has spent much of his NHL career on the injured list.

The expectations will be high in Montreal. Dach is a young playmaking center who has struggled to take the next step but his leash is getting short. He’s got the skill and can transition the puck but he struggles to maintain sustained pressure. This will be the contract that he has to put it all together. Montreal is expecting Dach to become the team’s second-line center behind Nick Suzuki. They are also hoping he has another season where he plays more than he doesn’t. Dach played in 70 games last year.

Dach said of his move to Montreal:

“I think it will be good for me to kind of have a fresh start, be the player I know I can be. I feel like I’m pretty offensive and smart with the puck and can make plays, but also a reliable, two-way centerman that’s big and strong down the middle of the ice that skates well and can make plays.”

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