Former Stanley Cup Champion Vincent Damphousse Reveals Kirby Dach's Likely Replacement

While on BPM Sports, Vincent frankly shared his thoughts regarding Kirby Dach and believes he has identified a player who could become the Canadiens' second-line center.

In June 2022, Kent Hughes executed a three-team trade that brought Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens, while defenseman Alexander Romanov headed to New York to join the Islanders.

Unfortunately, the Kirby Dach experience has still not been conclusive, and the forward has faced numerous difficulties, in addition to missing a lot of hockey due to injuries.

Out of a possible 246 games, the centerman has played only 117, which represents 47%. This means that number 77 has been absent for more than one game out of every two on average over the past three seasons.

The Fort Saskatchewan native has struggled to find his rhythm, and even when healthy, his play is often criticized. In 2024-25, he recorded 22 points in 57 games.

Kirby Dach's tenure in Montreal could end in the coming months, and Vincent Damphousse is clear: Dach is not the man for the job.

On BPM Sports, he did not mince words about the forward and, according to him, the 24-year-old is no longer considered an important player for the Canadiens.

Damphousse specifically cites injuries as a reason for Dach's struggles, but he believes that even when healthy, Dach does not meet expectations and is no longer in consideration for the second-line center role. He adds that the team's management is already looking for a new candidate.

He continued by mentioning that he believes Michael Hage will become an interesting option to fill the Canadiens' second-line center position in a few years.