Former Blackhawk Kirby Dach's Attitude isn't winning favors with Habs head coach Martin St. Louis

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Joshua Deeds
November 21, 2024 (6:15 PM)

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Former Blackhawk center, Kirby Dach is now in his third season with the Montreal Canadiens.

He's been injured off and on during his short tenure there and has had issues producing up to expectations.

Last season he suffered an ACL and MCL injury, which required surgery.

Dach, who had the ACL and MCL of his right knee surgically repaired on Oct. 31, has been haunted by that thought ever since learning of the damage caused in his collision with Jared Tinordi in the Oct. 14 game against his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks. The pain he's experienced has been more than just physical.

This season in 19 games, he's only produced 8 points( 1 G, 7 A) and is it a matter of him suffering from lingering complications or poor play?

Regardless, his play hasn't made Head Coach Martin St. Louis happy as he's called out Dach in the media .

This was after a scene in Brossard, the Habs practice facility where he left the ice in anger, and decided to bench himself.

«You have to have your mind stronger than your emotions. That's what we're talking about. [He's emotional], so his mind has to be strong.»

St-Louis acknowledged the obvious: Dach isn't the same player these days.

«His touches aren't as good as they used to be. It's a confidence thing, a little bit. Sometimes a player needs the puck to bounce for him.

The work ethic is there. He'll be the first to tell you his touches aren't as good.»

- Martin St-Louis, via a TVA Sports article

Dach's own internal issues have come out on the ice in frustration. He isn't the same player that the Canadiens originally traded for, but maybe if he has patience with himself.

Or else, what can the Habs do? Send him to Laval? It could be a solution, a small conditioning stint could do the forward some good.

Most players are able to return to play in the NHL after an ACL injury. However, career length and performance may be significantly decreased compared with controls. This may represent a more severe initial injury, and more focused return-to-play pathways may identify barriers to return to play.
Sikka et al.

As it seems now, he has plenty of pressure playing not only in Montreal but pressure on himself as it seems he's not living up to his own standards of play.

The 23-year-old is still young enough where he could return to form, but for now, it seems he needs time.