Everything is fine with the Canadian. The team is on an excellent run, the victories are piling up, the hunger is growing within the group, the confidence is overflowing, in short, Montreal is experiencing hours of intoxication following an atrocious sequence which raised fears of elimination even before the broadcast of the “Bye-bye.”
Not confusing, things are so much better that even Kirby Dach is back on track. Six goals in his last nine games, he could even reach the 45-point mark at the end of the campaign.
Dach remains an enigma, although on the surface he possesses a set of qualities to hope to survive in a top six position in the National League. His most serious problem is in the faceoff circle. His 35.7% career efficiency is very modest…
I know my timing will be perceived as poor, but regardless of Kirby’s resurrection, I firmly believe that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton need to be very careful in the trade market.
From the way the CH has behaved for over a month now, the indicators are all green. I don’t see how Montreal would stop competing overnight, apart from bad luck such as major injuries.
It is therefore a safe bet that Martin St-Louis’ men will be in the solidex “mix” at the time of the break in the 4 Nations Showdown and later, in view of the trade deadline.
One move to play
I maintain that the answer Hughes gave me in the interview was very appropriate. The CH is not going to undress for a rental player. In their place, I wouldn’t do it either. CH is still not in the window of opportunity for the Stanley Cup.
However, if the opportunity arises to get your hands on a veteran center player who has a few years left on his contract, then you should give it a shot.
It is about the balance of respect between senior management and the locker room. Players who deliver results need to feel that bosses recognize their efforts.
Kirby Dach, who remains a youngster full of potential, remains to this day in the wrong seat at the center of the second line. Same thing for Alex Newhook at his side.
-Photo Getty Images / AFP
We have seen how having as many backs as possible in the right chair can transform a team. The arrival of Alexandre Carrier gave CH a homogeneous and formidable defensive group.
The same phenomenon will be observed if a Ryan O’Reilly or better, a Sidney Crosby comes to stay in the center of Patrik Laine and… Kirby Dach. I think Dach would benefit from temporarily returning to the wing on a second line, as much as having a veteran center alongside him.
Newhook could, for his part, patrol the center of Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher, while Christian Dvorak, if impossible to give at the deadline, could alternate between the bridge and the fourth trio.
The effect on the ice would be immediate in terms of results. And the psychological effect on the existing group of players would be just as much.
Now how would Dach react? Only he knows, but the organization would learn a little more about the strength of character of the enigmatic young talent.
CH wants to win the Stanley Cup one day not so far away, management needs to know what role Kirby Dach can or cannot have in the equation.
Until then, the acquisition of a seasoned veteran center is a mark of basic respect towards Patrik Laine, Martin St-Louis and the rest of the group.
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