What he didn’t know was that he wasn’t part of the team’s plan. The Blackhawks dealt Dach to the Montreal Canadiens for two picks on Thursday. The 21-year-old center said he learned the news about five minutes before it was announced on the floor of the NHL entry draft. “I was actually going to the rink to go skate,” Duck told reporters on a video call Friday. “So it’s a bit of a shock, but I’m excited to be in Montreal. It’s a great city. I love playing there. I can’t wait to have the fans on my side cheering us on.” Selected third overall by Chicago in the 2019 draft, expectations were high for Dach as he began his NHL career. However, he has been hampered by injuries, including a broken wrist which limited the forward to just 18 games in 2020-21. Last season, Dach had nine goals and 17 assists in 70 games. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., native feels he has more to show for the Canadiens. “I feel like I’m pretty aggressive and smart with the pack and I can make plays. But I’m also a reliable two-way centerman who’s big and strong in the middle of the ice, who skates well and can make plays,” he said. “And I feel like Montreal is a place where I can flourish with that. “ The last few seasons have been full of disappointment for the Blackhawks. Now, Chicago seems intent on gutting its roster in favor of a complete rebuild. The club also dealt forward Alex DeBrincat on Thursday, sending him to the Ottawa Senators for three picks, including the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft. Management has been upfront with the players about their plans, Dach said. “We knew we were going to rebuild there and stuff like that. But they were very open and honest with us about it. And they obviously felt they had to go in a different direction than me and DeBrincat did,” he said.
“It’s a business. There’s nothing else to it. You just have to move on and I have a great opportunity in front of me in Montreal. I’m very excited to start the next chapter in my own career.” While Dach described his time in Chicago as “full of ups and downs,” he said his first three NHL seasons have also taught many lessons. “I was a young guy coming into an older locker room and I was able to learn a lot about the pro lifestyle and what it really takes to play in this league and be a good player at a consistent level every night. ” he said. “And I definitely take those qualities with me and try to improve every day.”