The Montreal Canadiens’ reconstruction under Kent Hughes has involved numerous aggressive maneuvers, many of which have proven successful. Nevertheless, not every risk yields the desired outcome. One of Hughes’ earliest and most notable gambles was executed at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, when he traded defenseman Alexander Romanov to obtain Kirby Dach. At the time, the Canadiens were betting on the upside of a former third‑overall selection who seemed to require a change of environment. Two years on, injuries and inconsistency have kept Dach from realizing the potential Montreal anticipated.
Rethinking the full scope of the trade only compounds the disappointment, particularly when factoring in the eventual contributions of the assets Montreal relinquished.
The Trade Tree
The Dach transaction actually originated with a separate agreement with the New York Islanders. On July 7, 2022, Montreal dealt defenseman Alexander Romanov and a 2022 fourth‑round pick to the Islanders in exchange for the 13th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Canadiens did not retain that pick for long.
Montreal subsequently used the acquired 13th overall pick, together with a 2022 third‑round selection, to trade for Dach with the Chicago Blackhawks. In effect, the Canadiens exchanged Romanov and extra draft assets for Dach. While the maneuver was bold, it aligned with the team’s strategic direction at the time.
What the Trade Became
Regrettably, Dach has been unable to translate those moments of promise into sustained production. At times, his size, skill set, and ability to protect the puck made him an appealing candidate for a top‑six forward role, either at center or on the wing. When performing at his peak, envisioning Dach as a key contributor in Montreal’s forward lines was not far‑fetched.
The principal obstacle has been his availability. Recurrent injuries have markedly slowed his progression and altered the course of his career. Rather than emerging as a long‑term offensive cornerstone for Montreal, Dach has spent much of his tenure with the Canadiens attempting to regain footing after each setback.
This is especially frustrating when considering what Montreal gave up. Romanov continues to serve as a solid NHL defenseman for the Islanders, logging top‑four minutes. While he may not have evolved into a star, he has become a dependable component of New York’s defensive corps.
Moreover, the fate of the 13th overall pick warrants attention. Chicago employed the selection obtained from Montreal to draft Frank Nazar. Now 22, Nazar is emerging as a key element of the Blackhawks’ youthful core, having posted 41 points in 66 games during the 2025‑26 season, and his development trajectory still holds substantial upside.
That does not imply Montreal would have selected Nazar had it retained the pick; draft‑day trades cannot be judged by assuming the original team would have chosen the identical player. Nevertheless, the trade illustrates the value Montreal relinquished in pursuing a chance on Dach.
A Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off
It is tempting to fault the Dach trade in hindsight, yet the underlying rationale was not inherently flawed. Ultimately, Montreal exchanged Romanov, a third‑round pick, and a fourth‑rounder to acquire Dach. For a team in rebuild mode, targeting a 21‑year‑old former third‑overall selection who still possessed significant upside was a defensible gamble.
The Canadiens also possessed depth on defense, rendering Romanov somewhat expendable. Had Dach stayed healthy and blossomed into a legitimate top‑six center, the trade could have appeared brilliant.
Instead, injuries altered the outcome. This is precisely why the trade is viewed as disappointing rather than outright disastrous for Hughes. Montreal identified a talented young player whose value had depreciated and attempted to unlock potential that Chicago could not. Such moves are precisely the sort of calculated risks rebuilding clubs should occasionally undertake.
This gamble ultimately fell short. Not every risk yields a payoff, and unfortunately for the Canadiens, the Dach trade is increasingly being seen as one of Hughes’ early attempts that missed the mark.
