NHL rumors: Oilers linked to Alberta-born Canadiens forward Kirby Dach

It has been a difficult run in the last four seasons with the Montreal Canadiens for Kirby Dach. Between injuries costing him play and Dach struggling on the ice, the restricted free agent may be looking for a new home this offseason.

As a restricted free agent, the Canadiens would need to give a qualifying offer of $4 million to retain the rights of Dach. While that seems high for someone who had just 15 points in 37 games this past year, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports thinks there is a market for the forward.

“I understand that he had difficulties with the Canadiens, but he has value in this league and I am convinced that there will be teams interested in his services if Montreal ever decides to trade him. He is a very well-known guy in Western Canada, a guy from the Edmonton area. We know him very well, and we mustn’t forget that his brother was traded to the Oilers,” Lavoie said while appearing on the JiC show.

Dach could have value for another team if the Canadiens decide to move on from him. This could lead to the Habs doing a sign-and-trade with a team such as the Oilers. Even if it is not Dach returning to Western Canada, Lavoie believes someone will be interested in making a deal.

“I’m not saying he’ll go to Edmonton. But there are 31 other teams, and it’s not true that they all have the same depth, the same quality of young players as the Canadiens,” Lavoie added.

Dach has shown sparks of quality play in the past and is still just 25 years old. Team would likely be interested in a 25-year-old that is NHL-ready with a higher ceiling than he has shown, if they can get him for the right price.

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