Last week, the Montreal Canadiens signed forward Kirby Dach to a one-year, $3.6 million contract. With this deal, the Canadiens and Dach avoided arbitration. 

After signing this one-year deal, Dach will play the 2026-27 season as a pending unrestricted free agent. With that, it is clear that this season is an important one for the 25-year-old forward. 

Dach will not only be looking to stay healthy for the Canadiens in 2026-27 but also make more of an impact offensively. The 2019 third-overall pick has had trouble replicating his best season with the Canadiens in 2022-23, when he posted career highs with 14 goals, 24 assists, and 38 points in 58 games.

During this past season with Montreal, Dach posted eight goals and 15 points in just 37 games. He also recorded 10 goals and 22 points in 57 games for the Habs in 2024-25. With that, he is coming off back-to-back quiet seasons and will certainly be looking to change that next season. 

If Dach can turn things around and cement himself as a key part of the Canadiens' top nine, it would help his chances of landing a good payday for his next contract. This remains the case whether he ends up hitting the free agent market next summer or signs a contract extension with the Habs no earlier than Jan. 1, 2027.

It will be interesting to see what kind of campaign Dach can put together for the Canadiens in 2026-27 from here.