Blackhawks: Kirby Dach showed his strength battling back this season

It looked like Kirby Dach was not going to play a game this season after getting hurt during the World Juniors before the season began, but he battled back and was ready to go by the end of March for the Blackhawks.

Personally, I thought the team did not need to push Dach back as fast as they did. The team was in the playoff mix, but adding Dach back too early could hurt his career for years to come. So letting the group play out the way they have been was something I was hoping to see.

Yet, Kirby Dach came back and played in 18 games this season putting up 10 points in those games. For a second-year player, putting up 10 points in 18 games is really good. Dach’s faceoff percentage was 40.3% already better than his rookie season.

Yes, the team is going to need Dach to be that number one guy in the future, but that doesn’t have to be next season. Personally, I do not think this team wants to rush Dach into a top-line role just yet. Let him learn behind Jonathan Toews and other centers like Pius Suter and Dylan Strome if he is still on the team. 

Kirby Dach showed his character battling back to the Blackhawks this season.

Dach is committed to this team. After breaking his wrist and undergoing surgery he still managed to battle back to the team when it looked like there was a real chance they were going to be in the postseason. I cannot be happier to have this player on the team for the long term.

"Blackhawks: Kirby Dach’s First Goal Of The Season Was Worth The Wait"

I just hope that the push to get Dach back in the lineup doesn’t come back to hurt the Hawks as he did miss the end of the season having irritated his wrist. Dach has all off-season to take his game to the next level and get stronger for 2021-22. Personally, I am excited to see where he can take this game next season, and where he will play in the lineup.