Renaud Lavoie reveals why Kirby Dach turned down an early return despite medical clearance
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
We've just learned some good news regarding Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.
Kirby Dach is finally on the verge of returning to action tonight, but a newly revealed piece of information is generating a lot of reaction today.
Just hours before the game against the Minnesota Wild, the Canadiens announced his return to the lineup, and it changes the tone around the team.
Dach hasn't played since November 15, a stretch that disrupted the lineup and tested the patience of fans.
Before his injury, he had played 15 games this season, recording five goals and seven points.
The issue is that his return seemed to drag on longer than expected.
Kirby Dach may have had medical clearance for quite some time already
According to what was reported by Renaud Lavoie, medical clearance had reportedly been given quite a while ago, but Dach did not feel 100% ready.
"Renaud Lavoie talked about it on BPM Sports' airwaves: Dach was given the green light in recent weeks to return to play, but...
The player himself didn't always feel 100%. He didn't want to rush things because he knows his injury history, and it also aligns with the Canadiens' plan, which wanted to take its time with No. 77.
Dach, who is in the final year of his contract, has things to prove before the end of the schedule if he wants another opportunity in Montreal. He wanted to be at the top of his game to give himself the best possible chance to meet that 'challenge.'"
- Via DLC
The player himself didn't always feel 100%. He didn't want to rush things because he knows his injury history, and it also aligns with the Canadiens' plan, which wanted to take its time with No. 77.
Dach, who is in the final year of his contract, has things to prove before the end of the schedule if he wants another opportunity in Montreal. He wanted to be at the top of his game to give himself the best possible chance to meet that 'challenge.'"
- Via DLC
Yes, Dach had received the doctors' green light for "two or three weeks" already.
He did not want to return immediately, and he did not want to move forward right away with the medical clearance.
In a market where everyone wants an exact return date, that almost sounds like a luxury, especially since Dach is finally set to return at the same time Alexandre Texier gets injured and a spot opens up on the first line.
He reportedly chose caution, and the Canadiens went along with that plan.
In 2022-23, he produced 38 points in 58 games.
In 2023-24, he played only two games.
In 2024-25, he added 22 points in 57 games.
In 2025-26, we're talking about seven points in 15 games before the stoppage.
People sometimes forget that he was selected third overall in 2019, and that he played 70 games with Chicago in 2021-22.
Talent has never been the debate; continuity is what's missing.
Tonight, the story is simple: if he returns, it's because he finally feels ready.
And for a player who has too often been caught by bad luck, that alone is already a small victory.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 20|1352 ANSWERS Renaud Lavoie reveals why Kirby Dach turned down an early return despite medical clearance Which forward is the best right now for the Montreal Canadiens, in your opinion? | ||
| Dach | 356 | 26.3 % |
| Texier | 924 | 68.3 % |
| Laine | 72 | 5.3 % |
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