NHL Trade Rumors: Kirby Dach's Future – A Comprehensive Guide to the Oilers, Flames, and Canadiens’ Standoff

By jili tutorial · September 27, 2026

NHL Trade Rumors: Kirby Dach’s Future – A Comprehensive Guide to the Oilers, Flames, and Canadiens’ Standoff

As the NHL’s opening night approaches, the Montreal Canadiens face a roster logjam that has sparked intense trade speculation. Goaltender Sam Montembeault may be squeezed out of the crease, but the most intriguing uncertainty surrounds forward Kirby Dach. Written by NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the following guide dives deeper into the trade interest from the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, explores Montreal’s strategic position, and explains the broader implications for all three teams.

Understanding the Trade Landscape: Dach’s Value and Montreal’s Asking Price

Dach’s Season and Injury History

Dach, 23, was the No. 3 overall pick in 2019 by the Chicago Blackhawks – a selection made by current Oilers GM Stan Bowman. After a trade to Montreal in 2022, Dach showed flashes of top-six potential but has been plagued by a “poor run of injury luck.” The Canadiens stuck with him through surgeries and rehab, signaling their belief in his unique combination of size (6’4”), skill, and playmaking ability.

What Teams Have Offered for Dach?

Multiple teams have already made offers for Dach. According to sources, several clubs offered the Canadiens a second-round pick back in June. Montreal, however, has held firm on a high asking price. They are not interested in futures alone; instead, they want:

Immediate roster help – a player who can step into the NHL lineup now.
Or a chip to pursue a bigger fish, such as Columbus Blue Jackets’ star Kirill Marchenko.

Montreal’s reluctance to accept a second-round pick shows they still view Dach as a core piece – or at least as a valuable asset worth leveraging carefully.

Why the Edmonton Oilers Are “Bordering on Drooling”

The Bowman Connection and Shared History

Stan Bowman, now Edmonton’s GM, drafted Dach in Chicago. Bowman remains convinced that Dach’s true potential has been stifled only by injuries, not by a lack of talent. This personal investment makes the Oilers’ interest more than casual.

Reuniting the Dach Brothers?

Dach hails from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta – just outside Edmonton. While there is speculation about a homecoming and a chance to play alongside his younger brother, Colton Dach (an Oilers prospect), sources say that is not the primary motivation. The front office wants Dach for his on-ice impact.

Timeline and Strategy

The Oilers are “intent on acquiring Dach at some point,” whether that’s:

Before the season starts – if Montreal’s price drops.
At the March 1 trade deadline – as a rental or with retention.
Next summer as a free agent – if Dach remains unsigned and hits the market.

Edmonton’s cap situation is tight, so they may need to wait for salary retention or a creative structure. Their aggressive pursuit suggests they view Dach as a long-term solution in their middle six.

Calgary Flames: Desperate Search for a No. 1 Center

The Need and the Options

Down Highway 2, the Flames are in “desperate search for a No. 1 center.” Since elite pivots are scarce, Calgary sees Dach as the next best option – especially when paired with someone like Morgan Frost (rumored to be available from Philadelphia). Dach would fit Calgary’s age scheme (they are retooling, not rebuilding), and his 6’4” frame adds physicality down the middle.

A History of Targeting Lottery Picks

The Flames have shown an affinity for acquiring players drafted high in the first round – recent examples include Simon Nemec (No. 2 overall in 2022) and others. This pattern makes Dach a natural target.

Recent Follow-Up Since Camp Opened

There have been “rumblings” that Calgary has re-contacted Montreal since training camps began. This indicates the Flames are actively pushing for a deal, even as the season looms.

Why Montreal Can Wait: The Canadiens’ Leverage and Roster Flexibility

Competition from Waiver-Exempt Prospects

Dach has had a quiet training camp, but his main competitor for a roster spot, Florian Xhekaj, is waiver exempt. That means Montreal can safely send Xhekaj to the AHL without losing him, giving the Canadiens time to let Dach “find his game again” without rushing a trade.

The Two-Way Qualifying Offer – A Rare Statement

This summer, Montreal made Dach’s $4 million qualifying offer a two-way deal – a highly unusual move for a bona fide NHL player. In the salary cap era, teams almost never use a two-way offer for a player who has already established himself in the league. This was a clear “shot across the bow,” signaling:

The team is willing to negotiate down from that $4 million figure.
They want Dach to understand that his performance and health need to justify that salary.

Sources indicate “the message was received,” meaning Dach’s camp now knows the clock is ticking.

Trade Deadline or Next Summer?

Montreal can afford to be patient. They can:

Keep Dach for the first half of the season to see if he rebounds.
Trade him before the deadline when contenders are willing to pay a premium.
Let him walk as a free agent next summer if the right deal doesn’t materialize.

The team believes in Dach’s “unique skill set” and isn’t eager to sell low.

Additional Context: What This Means for the NHL Trade Market

Comparable Trade Patterns

In recent years, teams trading for a young, high-drafted forward with injury concerns have often paid a first-round pick or a young NHL player. The Oilers and Flames may need to exceed a second-rounder to pry Dach loose. Montreal’s demand for immediate roster help could force a hockey trade – for example, a young defenseman or a forward with a similar cap hit.

Cap Implications

Both Edmonton and Calgary have limited cap space. The Oilers have to manage contracts for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and new additions. The Flames are retooling but still have expensive veterans. A Dach trade would likely require salary retention by Montreal (up to 50%) or a swap of comparable contracts.

Conclusion: A Story That Will Develop Through the Season

The Kirby Dach trade saga is far from over. With the Canadiens holding firm, the Oilers and Flames circling, and the opening night buzzer about to sound, this is a situation to monitor closely. Whether Dach stays in Montreal, moves to Alberta, or becomes a deadline prize, his future will shape the roster dynamics of three teams.