Kirby Dach knew the Chicago Blackhawks were heading into rebuilding mode.
What he didn’t know was that it wasn’t part of the team’s plan.
The Blackhawks dealt Dach to the Montreal Canadiens for a pair of picks on Thursday. The 21-year-old center said he learned the news about five minutes before it was announced on the floor of the NHL Entry Draft.
“I was actually going to the rink to skate,” Dach told reporters in a video call on Friday. “So it’s a bit of a shock, but I’m excited to be in Montreal. It’s a great city. I love playing there. I can’t wait for the fans to be on my side cheering us on.”
Selected third overall by Chicago in the 2019 draft, expectations were high for Dach as he began his NHL career. However, he has been hampered by injuries, including a broken wrist which limited the forward to just 18 games in the 2020-21 campaign.
Last season, Dach had nine goals and 17 assists in 70 games.
The Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., native feels he has something to show for the Canadiens.
“I feel like I’m pretty offensive and smart with the puck and I can make plays. But I’m also a reliable two-way center who’s big and strong in the middle of the ice, who skates well and can make plays,” he said. “And I feel like Montreal is a place where I can thrive with that. “
The past few seasons have been full of disappointment for the Blackhawks. Now, Chicago appears intent on dismantling its roster in favor of an all-out rebuild.
The club also acquired star forward Alex DeBrincat on Thursday, sending him to the Ottawa Senators for three picks, including the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Management has been open with the players about their plans, Dach said.
“We knew we were going to rebuild there and things like that. But they were very open and honest with us about these things. And obviously they felt they needed to go in a different direction than (DeBrincat) and I did,” he said.
“This is a business. There is nothing else to it. You just have to move on and I have a great opportunity in front of me in Montreal. I am extremely excited to get things moving and start the next chapter in my career.”
While Dach describes his time in Chicago as “full of ups and downs,” he said his first three seasons in the NHL also provided plenty of lessons.
“I was a young guy coming into an older locker room and I was able to learn a lot about the professional lifestyle and what it really takes to play in this league and be a good player on a consistent level every night,” he said. I definitely take those qualities with me and try to improve every day.”
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