Kirby Dach already has overcome one serious knee injury. And now the Canadiens’ centre will have to do so again.
The Canadiens on Friday announced Dach underwent successful surgery to his right knee this week in Montreal. While Dach will miss the remainder of the season, the team added he’s expected to recover before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
The 24-year-old Dach, who was acquired in a July 2022 draft day trade from Chicago, suffered tears to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the same knee, and required surgery, only two games into the 2023-24 season after being checked by Blackhawks defenceman Jarren Tinordi.
The Canadiens provided no further details about the extent of Dach’s latest injury, suffered last Saturday at Ottawa. The 6-foot-4, 221 pounder has played 57 games this season, scoring 10 goals and 22 points, but also was a minus-29.
During the 2022-23 season, his first with Montreal, Dach scored 14 goals and 38 points in 58 games. That means, during his three seasons with the Canadiens, Dach has played in 117 of a possible 246 games (47.5 per cent).
The Canadiens signed Dach to a four-year, US$13.45-million contract in September 2022 with a cap hit of US$3,362,500. That deal expires at the end of next season.
Dach had been playing on the Canadiens’ second line, between Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine. The team recently recalled Owen Beck from AHL Laval to replace him.
Montreal, which is on a three-game winning streak, plays at Buffalo on Saturday night.