Canadiens sign centre Kirby Dach to one-year, $3.6 million contract

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed forward Kirby Dach to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$3.6 million, the NHL club announced Thursday.

Dach was a restricted free agent after last season. A salary arbitration hearing had been scheduled for July 30 after the Canadiens tendered a one-year qualifying offer worth $4 million that was reportedly a two-way contract.

The 25-year-old from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., had eight goals and seven assists in 37 games with the Canadiens last season.

Dach added four goals and an assist in 19 playoff games as Montreal advanced to the Eastern Conference final.

The six-foot-four, 221-pound centre was selected third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2019 NHL draft.

He was traded to Montreal at the 2022 NHL draft for the 13th overall pick and a third-round selection and has produced 32 goals and 77 points in 154 games for the Canadiens, missing long stretches due to injury.

Dach will be eligible to test unrestricted free agency next summer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2026.

The Canadian Press