Hawks not happy with Dach's deployment, changes are coming
The Blackhawks used their first round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft to select Kirby Dach third overall, due in large to his excellent final season in Junior for the Saskatoon Blades in which the then 18-year old scored 25 goals and registered 73 points in 62 games. He was a standout center.
In Dach's rookie season in 2019-2020 he put up respectable numbers (64 GP, 8G, 15A) and even contributed a goal and five assists in six post-season games for the 'Hawks. A fine start to what was expected to be a great career.
Fast forward to this season and Dach hasn't made much progress from his freshman season. Some might argue he's even regressed. To this point in the season, the most press Dach has received for his play was on January 4 when Colorado's Cale Makar shook Dach with a wicked move to score the OT winner:
Now, according Bleacher Nation, the Blackhawks are going to try Dach on the wing instead of down the middle.
The team has veteran pivots Jonathan Toews and Tyler Johnson expected to return to the lineup any day now, so relieving Dach of the responsibilities of one of the most difficult positions in the game might just free him up to find the form he had in Junior.
The now 21-year-old is a will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this season.
