Kirby Dach Undergoes Successful Right Knee Surgery, Expected Full Recovery Before Next Season

Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach has successfully undergone surgery on his right knee, a procedure performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thierry Pauyo in Montreal.

The surgery, which was necessary due to a knee injury, has been deemed successful, and the 22-year-old forward is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2025-2026 NHL season.

Dach, who was acquired by the Canadiens in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2022 NHL Draft, had been playing an essential role in the team’s forward lines this season. His combination of size, skill, and playmaking ability had quickly made him one of the standout players for Montreal, and the news of his surgery raises questions about his immediate future with the team.

However, the Canadiens’ medical staff and Dach’s representatives are confident that he will be able to return to the ice fully healthy once the 2025-2026 campaign begins.

The surgery follows a stretch of increasing concern over Dach’s knee, with his injury progressively worsening as the season went on. Though the exact nature of the injury remains undisclosed, it is believed that it had been affecting his performance on the ice. Dach’s commitment to his recovery and his drive to return stronger than ever will likely serve him well in the coming months.

The timing of the surgery, as the NHL season winds down, gives Dach the full offseason to rest, rehabilitate, and build up his strength for next season.

This injury setback is certainly disappointing for both Dach and the Canadiens, especially as the young forward had been showing strong signs of growth and development. In 2023-2024, Dach posted 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points in 69 games.

His two-way game has continued to evolve, and his presence on the power play has been a bright spot for the Canadiens, a team in the midst of a rebuild.

Head coach Martin St. Louis and general manager Kent Hughes have expressed confidence that the organization will continue to support Dach throughout his recovery process.

The Canadiens have a long-term vision for the player, and the team is hopeful that this surgery will ultimately give him the opportunity to continue developing into one of their key contributors in the coming years.

As for now, Canadiens fans will have to wait for the young center’s return, but with the full recovery expected by the start of next season, the future looks bright for Kirby Dach and the Montreal Canadiens.