It is no secret that the Montreal Canadiens would benefit by adding a proven second-line center to their roster before the 2025-26 season begins. It is why they are currently one of the most-talked-about teams in the rumor mill, with August now here.
However, if the Canadiens enter next season with the roster they have, which is quite possible, all eyes will be on forward Kirby Dach. When looking at the Canadiens' current depth chart, he stands out as the likeliest player to be Montreal's 2C. With this, he is certainly among the Canadiens' X-factors to watch heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
This past season was another tough year for Dach, as he recorded 10 goals, 12 assists, and a minus-29 rating in 57 games. His season also came to an end in February after he underwent knee surgery. This marked the second year in a row that Dach's season ended due to knee surgery, as he was limited to only two games during the 2023-24 season with the Habs.
While Dach has undoubtedly had some difficult years, the 2025-26 campaign will now offer him a clean slate. There is no question that the 2019 third-overall pick still has good upside, and he will now look to stay healthy and hit a new level for the Canadiens. Keep in mind, he demonstrated during the 2022-23 season with the Canadiens that he can be a solid offensive contributor, as he set career highs with 14 goals, 24 assists, and 38 points in 58 games.
Nevertheless, it is going to be very fascinating to see what kind of year Dach has for the Canadiens. If he ends up being their second-line center for the start of the season, there is no question that they will need the 6-foot-4 forward to make a real impact offensively.
Canadiens' Blueline Ranked Among NHL's Best
It is no secret that the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens">Montreal Canadiens</a> have a strong defensive group. They only improved upon this off-season, too, as they acquired star blueliner Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders last month.
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