Finally healthy, forward Kirby Dach making an impression at Canadiens camp

BROSSARD — Kirby Dach had a chance to make an impression Thursday, stepping into a prominent role at practice as the Montreal Canadiens continued to evaluate their options up front.

With forward Ivan Demidov sidelined for a second straight day, Dach took his place at right wing alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen during an end-of-practice scrimmage.

Dach had previously spent training camp centering a line between Zachary Bolduc and Alexandre Texier, a spot occupied by Alex Newhook instead during Thursday’s practice.

It was another opportunity for the 25-year-old to show he can be a versatile, reliable option wherever the coaching staff needs him, whether at centre or on the wing.

“You just kind of focus on what’s being asked of you by the coaching staff, the details of the game and playing the game the right way,” Dach said. “You get rewarded eventually down the line if you continue to do the right things away from the puck, be responsible defensively and have good details all over the ice.”

Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis knows what he wants to see from Dach as training camp winds down.

“It’s about being alert and continuing to play the whole game,” St. Louis said. “It’s not just one thing. It’s staying alert and working hard.”

Dach is looking to solidify his place in the lineup after a difficult stretch of injuries since arriving in Montreal. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., native has appeared in just 154 of a possible 328 games since being acquired by the Canadiens in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks four years ago.

“It feels good to be healthy,” Dach said. “I think a lot of us had nicks, bruises and bumps from the playoffs. That’s just how it goes. I think over the summer, you build that health back up and it’s nice to kind of be able to hit the ground running instead of dealing with lingering issues.”

Dach credited his teammates, coaches, management and support staff for sticking by his side through his injury woes.

“The biggest thing was not just throwing in the towel and waving the white flag,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot personally the last couple of years and there’s been a lot of times where it was difficult and it was hard.”

For St. Louis, the focus is on what Dach can control rather than worrying about what might have been without the injuries.

“Injuries happened,” said St. Louis. “Would he be more advanced otherwise? Maybe. It’s about looking forward. That’s what we’re doing.”

Armed with a new one-year, US$3.6-million contract signed in July, Dach is committed to doing what he can at both ends of the ice to help the Canadiens succeed.

“I think it’s just being a solid 200-foot responsible player and understanding that not every shift is going to be about creating offence,” Dach said. “Sometimes, you have to do the little things right to set up the next line to have success. For me, it’s just about putting shifts together and capitalizing when I do get my chances.”

A SPIRITED START TO PRACTICE

St. Louis made his message clear early, putting the Canadiens through a bag skate after feeling the group lacked urgency at the start of the 90-minute session.

“I have the same expectations this year,” St. Louis said. “It wasn’t good enough.”

Arber Xhekaj echoed his coach’s assessment, saying the Canadiens were “a little sleepy” to begin practice before the skating drill helped sharpen the group.

“Right after a little bag skate, we tightened up and we got back to being ourselves and being intense,” Xhekaj said.

The Canadiens later held a 20-minute, 5-on-5 scrimmage followed by eight minutes of 4-on-4 action. Team A posted a 3-0 victory, with goals from Jayden Struble, Tyler Thorpe and Josh Anderson into an empty net.

IVAN DEMIDOV TAKES ANOTHER THERAPY DAY

Demidov remained out for a second straight practice while continuing to receive treatment after taking a shot off his foot during Monday’s preseason game against Ottawa in Trois-Rivières.

The expectation is that the 20-year-old forward will return to the ice with his teammates Friday.

The Canadiens will conclude their preseason schedule with split-squad games Saturday against the Senators before opening their regular-season campaign Tuesday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2026.

Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press