Oilers Should Resist the Urge to Trade for Kirby Dach

Frank Seravalli reports that the Edmonton Oilers’ interest in Kirby Dach “borders on drooling.” It is easy to see the attraction. Dach is a 6-foot-4, right-shot forward from nearby Fort Saskatchewan, and Edmonton already has his younger brother, Colton. General manager Stan Bowman also drafted Kirby third overall while running the Chicago Blackhawks.

Those connections make for a compelling story. They do not make Dach the right trade target.

The Potential Has Yet to Become Production

At 25, Dach still has the size, skill and versatility that made him a top-three pick. His best NHL season came in 2022-23, when he recorded 38 points in 58 games with Montreal. It remains the only season in which he has topped 30 points. Last season, he managed 15 points in 37 games.

Availability is the larger concern. Dach played just two games in 2023-24 and underwent knee surgery that ended his 2024-25 season. Injuries limited him again in 2025-26. None of that means he cannot rebound, but Edmonton would be trading for the possibility of a healthy, more productive Dach rather than a player who has consistently delivered it.

That distinction matters for a team trying to win now. Dach could help in a bottom-six centre role, particularly if the Oilers want another right-shot option. Yet Montreal reportedly held firm on its asking price after receiving second-round-pick offers. Paying a meaningful asset for a player with Dach’s injury history would be a considerable bet. The Oilers have more pressing ways to use their trade capital.

Edmonton Has Centres Worth Playing

Jason Dickinson should get the first opportunity to anchor the third line. Edmonton acquired him alongside Colton Dach in March and then signed him to a five-year deal worth $4 million annually. That commitment makes more sense if Dickinson is trusted with a defined role, including difficult defensive minutes. Trading for Kirby to compete for that same spot would create another question without necessarily improving the answer.

Josh Samanski deserves a real look at fourth-line centre, too. He played his way into Edmonton’s lineup last season after starting in Bakersfield. Giving him that opportunity would let the Oilers assess an option already in the organization before spending assets on another one. If Samanski cannot hold the job, Edmonton can revisit the market later.

A reunion of the Dach brothers would be fun, and Kirby’s upside is understandable. But the Oilers need dependable contributions down the middle more than another projection. Dickinson and Samanski should get the third- and fourth-line opportunities. Until Dach proves he can stay healthy and produce consistently, Edmonton should admire the fit from a distance.

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