Trade between the Canadiens and Blackhawks: major update
Photo credit: Montreal Hockey Now
Two seasons have now passed since the major trade that was concluded between the Canadiens and the Blackhawks during the 2022 draft, involving Kirby Dach, and there's some very interesting new development.
Let's remember that Dach was acquired primarily in exchange for the 13th overall pick of the draft, which turned out to be the promising prospect, Frank Nazar.
Over the weekend, it was announced that the 20-year-old forward, who played for the powerful University of Michigan team, has signed his NHL entry-level contract.
He just finished his second season in the NCAA with a tally of 17 goals and 41 points in 41 games.
Given that he will always be "the prospect traded for Kirby Dach," the analyses of this trade are likely to make headlines several times over the coming months and years, now that the young player in question has graduated to the NHL.
Nazar scores in his first game with the Hawks
Moreover, the Detroit native really didn't take long to turn heads, as he scored his first career goal in his first game with Chicago, on a beautiful breakaway.
After collecting 14 goals and 38 points in 58 games upon arriving in Montreal, finishing the season on fire with 15 points in his last 20 games, few people were worried about the high-price acquisition of Dach.
Unfortunately, due to the major injury he suffered at the beginning of the year, which limited his second season with the Canadiens to only one game and one period of play, doubts have resurfaced concerning him.
In five professional seasons, the third overall pick of 2019 has almost remained healthy only once, when he played 70 games with the Blackhawks in 2021-2022.
Out of a possible 410 NHL games, Dach has only played 212 times, meaning he has been injured for nearly half of these games (198 in total).
If he can finally find his way back to health and pick up where he left off after an excellent training camp, this trade will be profitable for the Canadiens.
However, if the troubles continue to accumulate, affecting his development and performance, and if the young Nazar becomes good, this exchange could turn sour for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens.
| POLL |
15 AVRIL | 144 ANSWERS Trade between the Canadiens and Blackhawks: major update Are you worried about Kirby Dach's long-term health? |
| Yes | 69 | 47.9 % |
| No | 75 | 52.1 % |
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