Kirby Dach Appreciation Thread

[d rake]

Did any of us expect Dach to be this good defensively? Pre-draft I only ever heard about his offensive abilities or skating. Turcotte was the one who was going to be the amazing defensive forward. Kirby is the gift that keeps on giving.

He had a great (but underrated) two way game in Saskatoon. I think it went under the radar due to him being more cerebral in his defensive play. But yeah, I didn't think his defensive game would transfer this well. Really exceeding expectations on both sides of the puck.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Did any of us expect Dach to be this good defensively? Pre-draft I only ever heard about his offensive abilities or skating. Turcotte was the one who was going to be the amazing defensive forward. Kirby is the gift that keeps on giving.

Didn't expect it this quickly, but yes he was an effective 2 way player in juniors.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Did any of us expect Dach to be this good defensively? Pre-draft I only ever heard about his offensive abilities or skating. Turcotte was the one who was going to be the amazing defensive forward. Kirby is the gift that keeps on giving.

I certainly didn't expect much. As d rake said, his defensive game really was underrated in the WHL.

I remember reading through each of Dach's and Turcotte's prospect threads on the draft boards before draft day and seeing Bergeron comparison's to Turcotte and Point, while Dach was getting at best compared to Scheifele at best and Strome at worst.

Turns out, Dach's comparisons there weren't all too spot on. MS isn't too far off, though he's not great defensively. Honestly after seeing Dach play this season, he probably reminds me more of Kopitar than anyone else (big center with a long reach who is able to score in close and puts up a lot of assists, all the while being a beast defensively).

 

[Kevin Musto]

I certainly didn't expect much. As d rake said, his defensive game really was underrated in the WHL.

I remember reading through each of Dach's and Turcotte's prospect threads on the draft boards before draft day and seeing Bergeron comparison's to Turcotte and Point, while Dach was getting at best compared to Scheifele at best and Strome at worst.

Turns out, Dach's comparisons there weren't all too spot on. MS isn't too far off, though he's not great defensively. Honestly after seeing Dach play this season, he probably reminds me more of Kopitar than anyone else (big center with a long reach who is able to score in close and puts up a lot of assists, all the while being a beast defensively).

Dach for me was always a mix of players. Had a bit of Scheifele, Marner, Draisaitl, Strome, and Spezza in his game.

 

[BK]

Dach for me was always a mix of players. Had a bit of Scheifele, Marner, Draisaitl, Strome, and Spezza in his game.

Nothing in his game is Strome. Strome is not close to the same tier as the other players you listed.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Nothing in his game is Strome. Strome is not close to the same tier as the other players you listed.

Kirby's playmaking ability in juniors looked a lot like Strome.

 

[Giovi]

Both Hockeyprospect.com and Thedraftanalyst.com wrote that his d was good. But even having read that at draft time, his game away from the puck is surprisingly good for his age.

 

[BK]

Kirby's playmaking ability in juniors looked a lot like Strome.

Debatable because Strome used the extra time and wasn’t the skater that Dach is (they looked similar when Dach went brought that slump as he was not moving his legs as much). Strome and Dach are a lot different and the point remains Strome is not in the same tier as the rest.

 

[avsfan09]

As an Avs fan I was disappointed you guys picked Disappointed when you guys picked Dach. Byram will fit us extremely well but I think Dach is going to be 80-90pt #1 C material.

 

[Taze em]

Just jumped Kakko, one point behind Hughes. Really improving. Haven’t seen much of Kakko this year, what’s his deal? Everyone said it was a clear top 2 and a drop but that hasn’t been the case thus far.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Just jumped Kakko, one point behind Hughes. Really improving. Haven’t seen much of Kakko this year, what’s his deal? Everyone said it was a clear top 2 and a drop but that hasn’t been the case thus far.

Kakko, from what I've read on HF and the little I've seen of him play, is a slow player who hasn't been able to adjust well to the smaller ice surface other than on the PP.

It's weird that Dach was the one that was considered slow at the draft and yet he's shown good speed in the NHL and Kakko, someone who was hardly ever harped on for his skating before being drafted, is too slow to be a difference maker in this league.

 

[clydesdale line]

Just jumped Kakko, one point behind Hughes. Really improving. Haven’t seen much of Kakko this year, what’s his deal? Everyone said it was a clear top 2 and a drop but that hasn’t been the case thus far.

He tied Kakko. They both have 19 points. Dach has played one fewer game though.

 

[RayP]

I don't think I've watched a single Rangers game, and must have missed the game or two we have played against them if we even have played him this year..... but I can't for a minute imagine Kakko has been anywhere near as good away from the puck as Dach has.

 

[Robsker]

It would seem that any rational comparison between Kakko, Hughes, and Dach need to wait perhaps 3-4 years. After that, then compare them. People grow into their game at different rates and with completely different teams and roles on their teams - so it is way too early to compare them meaningfully.

Now, if the idea is to say that Dach looks promising, sure. he has. The other two do as well. If the idea is to say that Dach has at least as reasonable chance to prosper in this league as the other two - one could say it so far appears that way. But still lets compare this all in 3-4 years. By all rights, in terms of draft order, Dach should be behind the other two ultimately (albeit close). So, far, he is at least their equal. So far, so good.

Glad we have Dach. Not sure whether he will be better than the other two or not - could be, I would not be surprised. I would also not be surprised if all 3 turn out to be really good. Also, one or more of them may rise up above one of them; that too would not be surprising. Too early to tell.

What does seem clear though is that Dach looks good. We'll see what follows!

 

[plasmonresonance]

PP stats
Hughes - 164 min, 4 g, 4 as
Kakko - 124 min, 2 g, 10 as
Dach - 81 min, 0 g, 2 as

 

[Joe Scaduto]

Kirby Dach fits in well slotted between Saad and Kane .Making of a top line for future

 

[Muffinalt]

Kirby Dach fits in well slotted between Saad and Kane .Making of a top line for future

Just needs to improve on his FOs.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

I told you guys Dach was the right pick at 3. He reminds me a lot of Draisaitl.

 

[ColdSteel2]

PP stats
Hughes - 164 min, 4 g, 4 as
Kakko - 124 min, 2 g, 10 as
Dach - 81 min, 0 g, 2 as

Hughes has been such a dud this year. Glad the Hawks have Kirby instead.

 

[Dr Salt]

Kirby Dach man I really think he's gonna cement himself as an elite in the future. And it may not be so far off.

 

[CanadianHawks]

Future Franchise player. Looks like a PPG plus player who is a dominating two way force

He actually looks very similar to Jack Eichel although I'm not sure he ever will use his shot as much as Jack does

 

[plank]

I like that he hustles every shift.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

I like that he hustles every shift.

Too bad he’s saddled to two absolute boat anchors.

 

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

I told you guys Dach was the right pick at 3. He reminds me a lot of Draisaitl.

Dach will be good. Great, even. But to be like Draisaitl? Man, that would be good. Great, even.

 

[plank]

Too bad he’s saddled to two absolute boat anchors.

In time the production will come and he'll make his linemates better.