Chicago Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Chicago Blackhawks, NHL or NHLPA
Trade completed between the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks: It's resulted in a nightmare
Photo credit: NHL.com
General manager Kyle Davidson turned Kirby Dach (now a Montreal Canadien) into center Frank Nazar, a 13th overall selection by the Blackhawks, and every day it is looking like a complete steal.
While this isn't the true return of the trade for Kirby Dach to Montreal (there was a 66th overall pick involved, too), the Blackhawks have offloaded trouble.
Dach has been seriously injured for the majority of his time in Montreal.
The Blackhawks would utilize the 13th overall pick in 2022 to select Michigan center Frank Nazar. After only a short period of time in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, he found himself in the Blackhawks' regular lineup at the end of last season.
Kirby Dach's Consistent Injury Issues
Nazar would play 53 games and score 26 points for the Blackhawks (12-24).
While Dach would play a total of 57 games in 2024-25, and would undergo surgery as a result of multiple injuries (ACL and MCL).
The Canadiens thought he'd heal up fine over the offseason; issues are plaguing Dach's return to the ice in Montreal already for the upcoming season.
"Now, I learned yesterday that Kirby Dach is spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle - Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta - and that Dach is still in rehab.
I repeat: five months after his most recent knee surgery and about 40 days before the start of training camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play."
I repeat: five months after his most recent knee surgery and about 40 days before the start of training camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play."
Troubling news for a team that gave up significant draft capital to the Blackhawks for Dach.
While Dach's consistent injury problems are a cause for concern for the Montreal Canadiens (223 games missed in his career). His brother Colton has been a revelation and a strong third-line candidate in Chicago.
And Frank Nazar (13th OA) has taken the next leap forward in his NHL career as a fixture in the regular lineup for the Hawks.
We hope for a fast recovery for Dach, but it seems that his NHL career could be in question if this persists.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 5 | 614 ANSWERS Trade completed between the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks: It's resulted in a nightmare Do you think GM Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks fleeced the Montreal Canadiens with this trade? | ||
| Yes | 388 | 63.2 % |
| No | 226 | 36.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
CHICAGO HOCKEY INSIDER
COPYRIGHT @2025 • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE · PRIVACY POLICY · COOKIE POLICY
COPYRIGHT @2025 • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE · PRIVACY POLICY · COOKIE POLICY