In June rumors circulated that the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers could discuss a trade with a NHler in a hometown. The chatter brought excitement, but skepticism – especially with the player’s injury history. That player was Fort Saskatchewan -resident Kirby Dach, and Oilers fans now apparently breathe a sigh of relief that nothing has come.
Bob Stauffer hinted a few seasons ago that he liked Dach’s idea in Edmonton. The center was later traded to the Canadiens in a deal that Montreal thought could be a solid gamble on an attacker with a high ceiling, but untouched potential in Chicago. It didn’t quite work out as hoped. Dach was often injured and there are still questions about his health that led to the 2025-26 season.
Rumors started to circulate again last June. The oilers were loosely connected to Dach, since Chatter was the Canadiens who wanted an upgrade and were actively looking for a second -line center. Jim Matheson van The Edmonton Journal wrote:
“We get the pre-Draft Trade Possilities here with habs’ kirby dach Because he was Drafted in Chicago by Oilers Gm Stan Bowman and He’s from Sherwood Park, so Local Ties, But Dach Had Major Knee for Surgery $hher. Yeah, the narrower arvidson for the bigger dach make sense dollars-wise, but again, dach is coming off that bad knee issue … “
Also in June Oilers Nation brought the idea to get cheap, and Paul Almeida placed: “Kirby Dach would be an interesting target for the oilers. He has had injuries that have hindered his career, but the local product is only 24 and has size and skills.”
Kirby Dach would be an interesting target for the #Oilers. He has had injuries that have hindered his career, but the local product is only 24 and has size and skills. pic.twitter.com/dmhywlgfwo
– Paul Almeida (@Azorcanglobal) June 26, 2025
Things have cooled down on Dach to Oilers Talk
Dach is a talented, young center with size and skill, but injuries have repeatedly impeded his career. During six NHL seasons his impact on the ice is limited and last season he led 10 goals and 22 points in 57 games.
If he stays healthy, he can be quite effective. Yet that is a big like.
When Montreal acquired him in 2022, it was seen as a calculated bet on a former top contract. In 2022–23 he showed promising as a legitimate top-six attacker. A few seasons later, patience seems to be a bit thin. The Habs, or another team that hires him, must know that they bet on a player who will probably miss games. As a fan wrote: “He is made of glass.”
That is not exactly what the oilers need, given that their window is now and everyone they acquire must be in the line -up to be part of a third run in the Stanley Cup.
Financially he is an option with a higher risk for the oilers, even if his cap hit is not outrageous. However, the Canadiens also know that the actions would now mean that he would sell low, given his injury history and uncertain commercial value.
The rumors of June that go nowhere were perhaps the best for both parties.
Next: Patrik Laine refers to expansion with Canadiens, commercial rumors continue
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