The Montreal Canadiens face disappointing news after forward Kirby Dach underwent successful surgery on his right knee, effectively ending his season. The team announced on February 28, 2025, the operation performed by Dr. Thierry Pauyo took place after Dach sustained the injury during the game against the Ottawa Senators on February 22. This marks the second consecutive season where Dach has required knee surgery, leaving many to reconsider his long-term role on the team.
Dach, 24, had been enjoying the first fully healthy stretch of his season, managing to play 57 games with 10 goals and 12 assists before being sidelined. The 2019 third overall pick had previously endured significant injury setbacks, including ACL and MCL tears last year, which limited him to just two games. This season appeared promising, yet his overall contributions were not enough to maintain his place as one of the top centers for Montreal.
Following the surgery announcement, the Canadiens are seeing Dach’s absence as they strive to secure their playoff hopes, currently positioned five points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Coach Martin St. Louis has adjusted the lineup, placing rookie Owen Beck on the second line during Dach's absence. Beck, selected 33rd overall by Montreal in the 2022 draft, notched his first NHL point during the overtime victory against the San Jose Sharks, showcasing the potential infusion of youth to the Canadiens' roster.
With Dach out for the remainder of the season, questions arise over the team's strategy leading up to the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline. The Canadiens have several players like Jake Evans and Joel Armia, who could be on the trading block if they decide to seize the opportunity for roster adjustments.
To complicate matters, Dach’s health status places the future of his role with the Canadiens under scrutiny. He finishes the season with 10 goals and 22 points, contrasting sharply with the 38 points he tallied across 58 games last year. His declining performance, coupled with career-worst statistics such as his -29 rating, have some analysts questioning whether he can rebound effectively as the team’s core develops.
Management must now confront difficult decisions, particularly with the looming prospect of offseason roster construction. Despite the up-and-down contributions this year, Dach had demonstrated flashes of being the reliable top-six center the Canadiens coveted when they drafted him. Now, prevailing thoughts will steer toward how this latest surgery influences their plans for the future.
Acquiring more depth at the center position has become more urgent as Dach’s absence highlights the team’s reliance on others to fill the void. With financial flexibility featuring heavily on their agenda, the Canadiens appear ready to leverage their substantial draft picks—15 selections across the first four rounds of the next two drafts—and promising young prospects to secure the players they need, whether via trade or during the offseason.
This season will surely serve as the tipping point for Dach and the Canadiens. With recovery expected before the start of next season, the hope remains he can return to form, shedding injuries and becoming the effective player the organization envisioned when they made the trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. Now, both he and the team must navigate the lengthy road of rehabilitation, hoping to emerge stronger on the other side.
Dach’s future with Montreal remains uncertain. The team hopes for his recovery, but the recurring injury challenges push them to seek alternatives for adequate roster depth. It’s clear Dach's situation will remain under constant evaluation, and his performances—even after surgery—must align with the team's ambitious goals for the next season.