Chicago Blackhawks: Kirby Dach Scouting Report

With the 3rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select center Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades.

The Blackhawks liked what Kirby Dach had to offer so much that they passed on some of the more notable players in this year’s draft class, such as Bowen Byram, Alex Turcotte, Dylan Cozens, and others. It was somewhat of an unexpected move, but the pick helped fill a team need.

Kirby Dach checks a lot of boxes that the Blackhawks were looking to add this offseason. If you are unfamiliar with Dach, let’s take a closer look at what he has to offer as the 3rd overall pick.

Kirby Dach Player Profile

Height – 6’4″
Weight – 198 lbs
Shoots – Right
Size/Strength – Excellent
Skating  – Good
Shot/Scoring – Good
Puckhandling – Excellent 
Physical Play – Good
Offensive Play – Good
Defensive Play – Good
Hockey Sense – Excellent
Competitiveness – Excellent

Strengths:

Shifty with great hands despite his large frame. Very coordinated and a very smooth skater. He is incredibly talented at keeping the puck in motion and creating offense with a sneaky elegance. Kirby’s ability to slow the game down and read the ice has been noticed by many scouts.

He is a very strong, two-way forward with an “offensive-first” mindset. His soft hands help generate offense, especially in the crease and other dangerous areas. Scouts have also commented on his ability to weave the puck into tight spaces; a skill that is unique given his size.

Kirby can take control of the offense and slow the game down for himself and his teammates.  A fast stick and agility will mesh well with the Blackhawks forward group.

In his 2018-19 campaign with the Saskatoon Blades, Dach posted 72 points (25G, 48A) in 62 games.  He kept his scoring touch hot in the WHL playoffs with 8 points (5G, 3A) in 10 games.

Areas for Improvement:

Dach’s agility mostly stems from his hands and upper body.  A consistent drive in his acceleration is expected to improve with NHL caliber development.

Another common area for improvement noted by scouts is a general lack of confidence in his shot, as well as a need for consistent offensive production.

Potential:

His size and offensive ability will be a change of pace for the Blackhawks forward group.  His cerebral read on the game and vision on the ice could make him a big asset on the penalty-kill unit. Dach has shown creativity in his defensive game, which Chicago will look to use when he hits NHL ice.

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