Canadiens and Dach Ink Contract, Avoiding Arbitration

David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens have come to terms with restricted free agent Kirby Dach on Thursday, re-signing the 25-year-old to a one-year contract worth $3,6 million.

With the deal, the Canadiens and Dach avoid reaching arbitration, as their meeting was set for July 30th.

It was reported that the Canadiens had extended Dach to a two-way $4 million deal, which would have allowed the Canadiens to send him down to the AHL without the potential of losing Dach to waivers. If Dach were to be moved to the minors, the Canadiens would have paid him a much lower salary. It is worth noting that Dach has not been in the AHL since his rookie season during the 2018-19 campaign.

The former third overall pick has been a member of the Canadiens since the 2022-23 season, after being dealt from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a first-round pick (Frank Nazar) and a third-round pick (Gavin Hayes) during the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Over the four years with Montreal, Dach has produced 77 points, which a career high of 38 points in 2022-23. The Alberta native has dealt with a number of injuries, limiting him to 98 games throughout the past three seasons.

With the signing, the Canadiens can obtain a bottom-six centre while keeping flexibility in that department. Dach will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.