Canadiens Could Ramp Up Center Search Based On Kirby Dach

The Montreal Canadiens took a great step into the playoffs last season, added Noah Dobson and Ivan Demidov to the everyday lineup for this season and beyond, freed up some money, and are now set to continue to get even better. The team's largest concern is still the second line center.

Kirby Dach, the placeholder for the second line center role, has a lot of pressure on him even though he is just 24 years old. Considering where he was drafted and what the Canadiens gave up for him, the expectations are a lot higher. Not only is his production concerning, but he finds it nearly impossible to stay healthy, so it puts Montreal in a bad spot year after year.

Dach has been in the NHL for six seasons now and three of them with the Canadiens. The most games he has played in a season is 70. He has only played over 60 twice and under 20 two times as well. Out of a possible 492 games over the six seasons, Dach has played 269. His career highs are also only 14 goals and 38 points, both coming in 58 games in the first season he was with the Canadiens.

David Pagnotta spoke about the situation in Montreal and the second line center, saying "we'll see how Kirby Dach responds in camp, and if he doesn't...maybe that escalates (Montreal's) search for somebody in that slot."

The Canadiens recently moved out Carey Price's contract, which allows them to add before the season and have over $4.5 million in cap space without having to put anyone on the LTIR to open the season. There are really only a few internal options who can even play center and would be able to make the Canadiens, whether they should play in that spot or not. This includes Alex Newhook, Jake Evans, Joe Veleno, and Owen Beck. Montreal isn't going to turn a winger into a center, so expanding their search already seems like the best play. Options aren't great, but more will open up as the season progresses, even if the Canadiens need options right now.