Here’s what Kirby Dach is doing right now

David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Here’s what Kirby Dach is doing right now

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Jun 30, 2026 4:42 PM ET

The Canadiens submitted a qualifying offer to Kirby Dach yesterday.

It remains to be seen whether the player will accept the offer, but he is expected to do so.

And the reason is simple: he won't get a better offer (one year at $4 million for the season) than this one. And if he wants to show the Canadiens' management that he still has a place in Montreal, this might be his only chance.

That said, we know that Kirby has disappointed in the past and has never truly reached his full potential. And that has led many to wonder why the Habs decided to extend him a qualifying offer in an attempt to keep him in town.

Eric Engels explained it on Tony Marinaro's podcast: right now, Kirby Dach serves as an insurance policy for the Canadiens.

The team didn't want to let him go and lose him for free because he still has some value, and Dach could be traded if the Habs need to make a move to free up salary cap space down the road.

What does Kirby Dach's future with the #GoHabsGo look like?#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro @EricEngels pic.twitter.com/LeDAL5OOku

— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) June 30, 2026

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Is there a possibility that we'll see Kirby Dach break out in '26–'27 and become a key player for the Habs?

Never say never. However…

The chances of that scenario playing out aren't exactly huge either. We're talking about a 25-year-old who hasn't played much in recent years and who's been struggling to find his game for a few years now.

We can't expect him to show up at camp and take the league by storm, let's be clear…

The player offers some flexibility to the Montreal organization right now, and that's what matters to Kent Hughes. Again: maybe the front office still believes in him and thinks Dach can become a significant asset in Martin St-Louis's lineup.

But if that's the case… it'll be up to the player to prove himself. Because we've all been disappointed time and again by his progress, especially since everyone knows he has talent…

In Brief

– NHL trade.

The @GoldenKnights acquire Parker Wotherspoon. In return, the @penguins get Kaedan Korczak and retain 50% of Wotherspoon's salary. @TVASports

— Renaud Lavoie (@RLavoieTVA) June 30, 2026

– Oh, really?

According to sources, I'm told the @AnaheimDucks made a multi-year contract offer and are still working on a potential deal with newly acquired forward A.J. Greer. #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/n9hVi68Ih6

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 30, 2026

– Interesting…

To date, the NJD have not been in the mix for Connor Hellebuyck. Things can change with a phone call, but as of right now, there's no connection to the Devils following the Markstrom trade to Florida.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 30, 2026

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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