Kirby Dach’s worst nightmares have come true as his season has been brought to a premature halt. The Canadian winger was operated on in his right knee, officially sidelining him for the remainder of the season. The operation was a success in Montreal by Dr. Thierry Pauyo, the team announced. The Canadiens also indicated that Dach should recover fully, though he will not be able to return until the beginning of next season.
Kirby Dach is out for the rest of the season
The Montreal Canadiens, who were in the Eastern Conference’s Stanley Cup Playoff race, have lost ground to top teams and will be without a key forward for the remainder of the year, with over 20 games remaining. Kirby Dach, a 24-year-old Canadiens forward, will be sidelined for the rest of the year following knee surgery, performed by Dr. Therry Pauyo, with a full recovery expected before the 2025-26 season.
Kirby Dach has battled a succession of injuries over the past few seasons, largely affecting the amount of ice time he gets. He spent almost all of the 2023-24 season on the sidelines after injuring his right knee, tearing both his ACL and MCL. And now, with yet another knee problem keeping him off the ice, there are fears that the same knee may not be stable long-term. Though it is unclear if this most recent injury is specifically a result of his last one, the fact that both of these injuries occurred in the same knee does bring his durability and recovery into question in the future.
Kirby Dach played in 57 games this year, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. The Montreal Canadiens were able to win their last two games without Dach playing, showing that they are capable of adjusting even without him. Dach, who was drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2019 NHL Draft, has had glimpses of offensive promise throughout his career.
Yet, he has never been able to build momentum due to injuries. Through 269 games, he has posted 43 goals and 78 assists for 121 points. His healthiest season was his first year, when he suited up for 64 games, his single-season high.
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The repeated injuries have questioned his durability, making it hard for him to be firmly established as a top-forward. In spite of these interruptions, the Canadiens are optimistic that Dach can get back on track and become an integral player in their future when he is healed.
