Is It Time To Push The Panic Button On Kirby Dach?
As the 3rd pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kirby Dach was poised to be the next face the Chicago Blackhawks. Dach served up an impressive 2018-2019 season with the Saskatoon Blades, lighting up the score sheet to the tune of 73 points (25 goals, 48 assists) in 62 games. As over a point per game player, Dach entered the draft as the 2nd overall skater in the NHL Central Scouting Rankings. Praised for his size, physicality, offensive skill, and high hockey IQ, it is no secret that Dach has the potential to be a truly special player in the NHL. With all the past success in every league he has ever played in and his illustrious skill set he brings to the ice, why hasn't he been producing at the NHL level?
There are many reasons why Blackhawks fans SHOULD NOT panic about Kirby Dach. First of all, he is only 21 years old. It is extremely rare for prospects to immediately jump into the NHL and become a star player overnight. Development takes time, especially with the coaching and roster carousel in Chicago. Building chemistry with teammates and finding a comfort level against the best players in the world doesn't happen immediately. With the Blackhawks poised to enter a rebuild, Dach should find a steady place in the lineup every night and should be due for an increase in minutes. With an increase in minutes and potentially playing in the top-6, Dach will have every opportunity to gain his confidence back and start producing on a nightly basis.
Secondly, this past season was Dach's first full year. Dach started his rookie season with the Rockford Icehogs before making his NHL debut on October 20, 2019. It was in that 2019 season that we all saw flashes of Dach's full potential. When Dach and the Blackhawks played in the bubble for the playoffs in his rookie season, he scored 6 points in 9 games (1 goal, 5 assists). The playoffs were supposed to be a building block for Dach, who impressed many fans and people in the organization with his style of play. Unfortunately, in the 2021 World Juniors, Dach suffered a wrist fracture on a freak play, limiting him to only 18 games in what was supposed to be Dach's sophomore season. This past season took a toll on the entire roster, which undoubtedly affected Dach's production. The dreadful 0-7-2 start that resulted in the firing of Jeremy Colliton lead to the hiring of Derek King, who very candidly supported Dach over this past season citing on numerous occasions how young and skilled of a player he is. Dach also had problems staying on the ice this season, which is a little concerning. Dach suffered a shoulder injury down the stretch following the trade deadline, which also played a role in limiting his production.
Although the pressure is on Dach to perform this season, I do not think it is time to panic. He has all the skills you need to succeed in the NHL, he just needs to regain his confidence and stay healthy. If he is healthy and has a full season at the NHL level, improvement will come. The long summer should benefit Dach the most by allowing him to get fully healthy for training camp in the fall as well as allowing him to take a step back and get back to playing at the level that made him worthy of the 3rd overall selection.
| POLL | ||
MAI 25 | 90 ANSWERS Is It Time To Push The Panic Button On Kirby Dach? Are you worried about Kirby Dach? | ||
| Yes! | 54 | 60 % |
| No, he'll be fine! | 36 | 40 % |
| List of polls | ||
