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The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired their ideal center thanks to the Montreal Canadiens

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Sam Walker
August 8, 2025 (3:32 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens' 2022 draft day trade involving Kirby Dach has now taken another turn, and thanks to them, the organization now has a new center that's ideal for the current rebuilding phase.

General manager Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks were named clear winners in the Kirby Dach trade that has since taken a very unsettling turn due to Kirby Dach suffering yet another injury setback this summer.

Dach was sent to the Canadiens in exchange for the 13th overall pick, which resulted in the Blackhawks drafting Frank Nazar.

That alone was a clear win for GM Kyle Davidson, but what we didn't know was the Blackhawks also landed another stud in the deal, thanks to the Montreal Canadiens.

PuckEmpire has done a recent examination and named the trade the worst for Montreal's GM Kent Hughes, as more salt to the wound revealed he also sent a 3rd round pick in the deal for Dach.

That trade resulted in Gavin Hayes being selected with the first pick in the third round of the 2022 draft by the Blackhawks and he is now deemed a key piece in the Blackhawks' future.

To Montreal:

-Kirby Dach

To Chicago:

- 2022 1st round pick (Frank Nazar)
- 2023 3rd round pick (Gavin Hayes)

Chicago Blackhawks acquire center Gavin Hayes in the Montreal Canadiens trade

A genius pick by the Blackhawks was center Gavin Hayes with the third-round pick acquired from Kent Hughes' Canadiens.

The smooth-skating forward earned the Most Improved Player Award from the Rockford IceHogs this past season as he furthers his development in the AHL.

Sadly for Hayes, a shoulder injury would keep him out for two whole months, but he came back stronger than ever and helped the IceHogs clinch a playoff spot with his nine points throughout their toughest stretch of the year.

For Hayes, he now looks to earn a spot on the Chicago Blackhawks' NHL roster out of development camp, and despite a lump sum of promising youth with the same mindset, we wouldn't be surprised if he earned a role come opening night of the season.

Wouldn't that be an awesome storyline with the Montreal Canadiens facing the Chicago Blackhawks in their home opener.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Unexpected scene in Chicago and a Blackhawks legend returns

Patrick Kane delivers bright news to Chicago Blackhawks fans and forward Connor Bedard amidst struggling times

Chicago Blackhawks acquire Anaheim Ducks' Cutter Gauthier: Results of a 2022 NHL re-draft are in

POLL
AOUT 8 \| 453 ANSWERS The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired their ideal center thanks to the Montreal Canadiens Do you think the Chicago Blackhawks fleeced Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens in this 2022 trade?
Yes	206	45.5 %
Not really	196	43.3 %
No	51	11.3 %
List of polls

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired their ideal center thanks to the Montreal Canadiens

The Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens' 2022 draft day trade involving Kirby Dach has now taken another turn, and thanks to them, the organization now has a new center that's ideal for the current rebuilding phase.

Chicago Blackhawks acquire center Gavin Hayes in the Montreal Canadiens trade

Do you think the Chicago Blackhawks fleeced Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens in this 2022 trade?