The Untold Story of the Third Overall Pick Who Is Still Chasing His NHL Breakthrough
By The Hockey Resource Operations AI™
Kirby Dach’s NHL Career Has Been Defined by Promise, Patience, and Perseverance
Every NHL Draft creates stories that unfold over decades rather than days. While first overall picks often dominate headlines, it is usually the players selected immediately behind them who become the most fascinating career studies.
The 2019 NHL Draft was no exception.
Jack Hughes went first overall to New Jersey. Kaapo Kakko followed at number two to the New York Rangers.
Then the Chicago Blackhawks stepped to the podium.
Their selection surprised many hockey observers.
Rather than choosing highly skilled defenseman Bowen Byram or dynamic playmakers Trevor Zegras and Alex Turcotte, Chicago selected a towering centre from Saskatchewan named Kirby Dach.
At just eighteen years old, Dach possessed every physical tool NHL scouts dream about: elite size, exceptional hands, impressive skating ability, and the hockey IQ to become a franchise centre.
The projection seemed simple.
The Blackhawks believed they had found the player who would eventually replace Jonathan Toews as the organization’s next great two-way centre.
Seven years later, the answer remains far more complicated.
Kirby Dach has demonstrated flashes of becoming that player, but injuries and organizational change have repeatedly interrupted his development. His story is not one of failure. It is one of unrealized potential that still has time to become reality.
Growing Up in Alberta
Born January 21, 2001, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Kirby Dach grew up in one of Canada’s strongest hockey cultures.
From an early age, he stood out because of his size.
Unlike many big players, however, Dach never relied solely on his physical advantages.
His coaches consistently praised three characteristics:
- Vision
- Hockey intelligence
- Puck protection
As he matured, he learned to use his reach not only defensively but offensively, shielding pucks and creating passing lanes that smaller players simply could not see.
His younger brother, Colton Dach, would later become an NHL prospect himself, making hockey a central part of the family’s life.
Dominating the Western Hockey League
Dach joined the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League and quickly became one of the league’s premier young players.
His development accelerated every season.
Rather than relying on goal scoring alone, he evolved into a complete player capable of controlling games.
Scouts became increasingly impressed with his:
- Elite puck possession
- High-end passing ability
- Defensive awareness
- Ability to protect the puck along the boards
- Transition game
During his draft season, Dach produced 73 points in only 62 games despite missing time with injury.
More importantly, he elevated his game against older competition.
At the IIHF World Junior Championship, he demonstrated that he could compete against many of the world’s best under-20 players, dramatically boosting his draft stock.
Why Chicago Chose Kirby Dach
The 2019 NHL Draft featured outstanding talent.
Chicago had numerous options.
Many draft analysts expected Bowen Byram.
Others believed Trevor Zegras possessed the highest offensive ceiling.
Instead, General Manager Stan Bowman selected Kirby Dach.
Why?
Chicago envisioned a modern NHL centre.
Standing 6-foot-4 with excellent mobility, Dach offered a rare combination of:
- Size
- Skill
- Reach
- Hockey IQ
- Defensive responsibility
The organization believed his offensive production would continue developing as his confidence grew.
His style also mirrored many of the league’s most successful playoff centres.
Big centres remain difficult to acquire.
Chicago believed they had found one for the next decade.
The Pressure of Following Jonathan Toews
Few young centres enter a more demanding situation.
Jonathan Toews had become one of the greatest captains in franchise history.
Replacing that presence was never going to happen immediately.
Yet every comparison seemed unavoidable.
Fans wanted Dach to become:
- The next franchise captain.
- The next two-way star.
- The next Stanley Cup cornerstone.
Those expectations created enormous pressure for a teenager still adjusting to professional hockey.
Making the NHL Immediately
Unlike many top draft picks, Dach did not spend years developing after being selected.
Chicago believed he was NHL ready.
He made the Blackhawks roster during his draft year.
Although his offensive numbers remained modest, coaches were encouraged by his maturity.
His ability to protect the puck against veteran NHL players immediately stood out.
He rarely looked overwhelmed.
Instead, he appeared like a player learning the speed and decision-making required at hockey’s highest level.
Development During Difficult Years
Unfortunately, Dach entered Chicago during one of the franchise’s most challenging transitions.
The dynasty years had ended.
Veteran leaders were aging.
The organization shifted toward rebuilding.
Young players often require stable environments.
Instead, Dach experienced:
- Coaching changes
- Roster turnover
- System adjustments
- Organizational uncertainty
These factors complicated his development considerably.
The Injuries That Changed Everything
No discussion of Kirby Dach’s career can ignore injuries.
They have become the defining obstacle of his professional journey.
A significant wrist injury suffered during the 2021 World Junior Championship dramatically slowed his progress.
Instead of building upon his rookie experience, Dach spent valuable developmental time recovering.
Just as momentum returned, additional injuries followed.
Every extended absence forced him to restart his development.
Confidence.
Timing.
Chemistry.
Strength.
Everything required rebuilding.
Few young NHL players lose as much developmental time during such critical seasons.
The Trade That Surprised the Hockey World
During the 2022 NHL Draft, Chicago made another franchise-altering decision.
Kirby Dach was traded to the Montreal Canadiens.
Many fans were shocked.
How could Chicago give up on a player drafted third overall after only three seasons?
The answer reflected timing rather than talent.
Chicago committed to a complete rebuild.
Montreal believed Dach still possessed tremendous upside.
General Manager Kent Hughes viewed him as a classic “buy-low” opportunity.
Sometimes a fresh start changes everything.
New Opportunity in Montreal
The Canadiens immediately placed Dach into a larger offensive role.
Instead of focusing solely on defensive responsibility, he received opportunities to create offense.
The early results looked promising.
His confidence visibly increased.
He attacked defenders.
He handled the puck more aggressively.
His skating became more assertive.
Many analysts believed Montreal had unlocked the player Chicago originally envisioned.
Another Crushing Injury
Then came another setback.
A devastating knee injury early in the season once again halted his progress.
For players dependent upon skating and mobility, knee injuries create unique challenges.
Months of rehabilitation followed.
Once again, development stopped.
Few careers have been interrupted as frequently during such formative seasons.
What Makes Kirby Dach Special?
Statistics only tell part of the story.
Coaches continue believing in Dach because of the tools he possesses.
His greatest strengths include:
Elite Size
Few NHL centres combine his height with his skating ability.
Exceptional Hands
His puck control allows him to maintain possession through traffic.
Vision
Dach consistently identifies passing lanes before they develop.
Defensive Awareness
He understands positioning and supports teammates effectively.
Hockey IQ
Perhaps his greatest asset.
The game slows down when he has the puck.
Areas Still Needing Growth
Like every player, Dach has continued areas for improvement.
Offensive Consistency
Elite centres produce every night.
Dach still searches for that consistency.
Staying Healthy
Availability remains his biggest challenge.
Shooting Mentality
At times he passes when shooting opportunities exist.
Becoming more selfish offensively could significantly increase his production.
Comparing the 2019 Draft Class
The 2019 draft has produced several outstanding NHL players.
Among the top selections:
- Jack Hughes has developed into a superstar.
- Bowen Byram became a Stanley Cup champion.
- Trevor Zegras emerged as one of hockey’s most creative players.
- Moritz Seider developed into an elite defenseman.
- Matthew Boldy has become a consistent offensive producer.
- Spencer Knight established himself as an NHL starting goaltender.
Kirby Dach’s career has followed a different path.
Rather than lacking ability, injuries have prevented continuous development.
That distinction matters.
Has Kirby Dach Been a Bust?
The word “bust” is often used far too casually.
Kirby Dach does not deserve that label.
A true draft bust lacks NHL ability.
Dach has repeatedly demonstrated NHL talent.
His challenge has been remaining healthy long enough to build sustained momentum.
Organizations continue valuing players with his combination of:
- Size
- Skill
- Hockey IQ
- Defensive play
- Leadership qualities
Those qualities cannot be taught.
Why Montreal Still Believes
The Canadiens remain optimistic.
When healthy, Dach fits perfectly into their young core.
Alongside emerging talent, he has the opportunity to become a major contributor for years to come.
His prime hockey years are still ahead.
Many NHL forwards experience their biggest offensive growth between ages 24 and 28.
That timeline still works in Dach’s favor.
Career BRAIN™ Evaluation
Draft Position Value
Grade: B-
A productive NHL player, though not yet performing at the level generally expected from a third overall selection.
Offensive Development
Grade: B
Flashes of top-line skill remain evident.
Defensive Development
Grade: A-
Responsible, intelligent, and trusted in all three zones.
Durability
Grade: D
Injuries have significantly altered his development curve.
Organizational Return
Chicago did not receive the franchise cornerstone it envisioned, but Montreal acquired a talented player whose story is still being written.
Future Outlook
If Kirby Dach can stay healthy over multiple seasons, there is still legitimate top-six centre potential. His combination of size, intelligence, and puck skills remains difficult to find in today’s NHL.
Final Thoughts
Kirby Dach’s career reminds hockey fans that player development is rarely linear.
Draft position creates expectations.
Reality creates challenges.
Since being selected third overall in 2019, Dach has experienced organizational change, multiple serious injuries, and the pressure of replacing one of the greatest captains in Chicago Blackhawks history.
Yet despite every obstacle, NHL organizations continue believing in him.
Why?
Because elite size, skating, vision, and hockey intelligence are among the hardest attributes to acquire. Players with that foundation often take longer to reach their full potential, especially when injuries interrupt key developmental years.
His story is far from finished.
The next chapter may ultimately determine whether hockey remembers Kirby Dach as an injury-plagued prospect or as a player who overcame adversity to become the impact centre scouts envisioned on draft day.
For now, the verdict remains incomplete—but the potential that made him the third overall pick still exists.