Montreal Canadiens address a trade regarding a former third overall pick: Kent Hughes isn't playing around

It looks like former Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach, who they took with the 3rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, could soon be traded yet again.

Per analyst Marco D'Amico of The Daily Faceoff, the Canadiens could soon consider moving on from Kirby Dach.

Dach was traded by the Blackhawks to the Canadiens during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and he was later signed to a 4 year contract in Montreal. Last year, he reached 100 career points in Montreal's opening game against the divisional foe Toronto Maple Leafs.

He only managed 57 games last year, reaching 22 points (10G, 12A). He underwent a medical procedure in February, and there has been doubt expressed on whether he'll be healthy enough to be available for the start of the year next month.

The Canadiens, who are also rumored to be shopping the contract of goaltender Carey Price, are several million dollars over the salary cap limit.

Right now, Dach's contract has only a year left and carries an AAV (average annual value) of $3,362,500.

Dach has 121 career points (43G, 78A) in 269 games with the Blackhawks and Canadiens.