Kirby Dach has surfaced as the Canadiens’ most obvious trade chip in any serious push for Kirill Marchenko, and that puts Montreal in a tricky spot.
Dobber Hockey recently pointed to Dach as the kind of piece the Canadiens could include if they tried to build a package for the Columbus Blue Jackets winger. That does not mean Kent Hughes has put Dach on the market, and it does not mean Columbus has asked for him. It simply reflects what Montreal might have to part with if it wants to chase a young winger with top-six value.
And Dach alone probably would not be enough.
If the Canadiens really wanted Marchenko, they would likely need to add another meaningful asset before Columbus would even consider it. That leaves Hughes weighing Dach’s upside against the possibility of having to include draft capital or one of the organization’s better prospects as well.
Dach is still an appealing trade piece because of the package he brings: size, skill and center experience, all of which are tough to find. When he is healthy and engaged, he can hold onto the puck, drive play through the middle and give Martin St-Louis another top-six option.
The problem, of course, is that his availability has been a constant part of the conversation in Montreal. That uncertainty would matter to Columbus, both in how it values Dach and in how much more it would demand from the Canadiens.
Marchenko would fill a different need. He would add another natural scoring threat on the wing and bring more pressure around the opposing crease. That is what makes the potential deal more than just a question of Dach’s name.
The bigger issue is whether Montreal should be willing to move multiple assets for one established offensive player.
Recent chatter had made it sound like a Marchenko deal might come together quickly, but that buzz has cooled. For now, there is no clear sign that anything is close.
Hughes does not have to force the issue. But if Columbus opens the door, Dach may be one of the first names discussed before the conversation shifts to picks and prospects.
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