Kirby Dach's future with the Montreal Canadiens is getting murkier, and Martin St-Louis now faces another difficult decision with the struggling forward.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has linked Dach to the Edmonton Oilers, raising fresh questions about whether his time in Montreal could be approaching its end.
The connection isn't random. Edmonton needs a right-shot centre, and Dach fits that profile. There's also a familiar face in the Oilers' front office.
“Edmonton has no right-shot centres. That's why you hear a lot of Kirby Dach (plus his history with Stan Bowman),” Friedman reported.
Bowman previously worked with Dach in Chicago, where the forward was selected third overall in 2019. That relationship gives the speculation another layer of credibility.
Meanwhile, Dach hasn't helped his situation in Montreal. His early offensive struggles and reduced role are making it increasingly difficult to justify keeping him ahead of other options.
The Canadiens are trying to establish a competitive lineup, and Dach is running out of opportunities to show he deserves a bigger role.
Friedman also revealed that Edmonton explored Shane Wright as another potential solution, although those discussions never produced a deal.
That detail matters because it suggests the Oilers aren't simply monitoring Dach. They're examining the market for a specific type of centre.
For Kent Hughes, the timing creates an interesting dilemma. Trading Dach now would mean moving on from a former high draft pick whose potential remains largely unfulfilled.
Keeping him carries risks, too. With other forwards pushing for opportunities, Montreal can't indefinitely reserve a meaningful lineup spot for a player struggling to produce.
Dach's contract situation adds another consideration. His future beyond this season remains uncertain, and a change of scenery could appeal to both sides.
Nothing indicates an agreement is imminent, but Friedman's comments have given the Edmonton connection renewed attention.
And with Dach slipping down Montreal's depth chart, the possibility of a trade no longer feels like distant speculation.
Should the Montreal Canadiens trade Kirby Dach to the Edmonton Oilers before his value drops further?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Leon Draisaitl shoves Mattias Ekholm in tense bench scene
