Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes made his splash. The Canadiens dealt defenseman Alexander Romanov and pick 98 to the New York Islanders for the 13th pick. They then sent picks 13 and 66 to Chicago for center Kirby Dach. All teams have announced the trades.
This is an absolutely huge deal for three teams. The Blackhawks, who already acquired a first-rounder earlier today, add a second top-15 pick in exchange for Dach, the third overall pick in 2019. They also add the 66th pick as part of the deal. For Chicago, this is another move for Kyle Davidson in his quest to add more long-term future assets. Dah was a promising prospect, but a combination of injuries and underperformance is what led to this trade. The Blackhawks, who entered today with no first round picks, now have a small stockpile of picks in very short order.
For the Islanders, GM Lou Lamoriello adds a young defenseman who plays a highly physical, gritty game that the Islanders crave. Romanov, 22, was a second-round draft pick in 2018 and already has 133 games in the NHL. His offensive upside is still up for debate, but he’s playing an increasingly important role in Montreal and should step into the Islanders’ defense and play immediately. There were defensemen who should have been available at thirteenth overall, but Lamoriello and the Islanders seemed to prefer a more NHL-ready option with this pick.
In Dach, the Canadiens add a player who just a few years ago was the third pick. Dach is a big center who played for the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, scoring 72 points in 62 games in his final season there. Dach struggled in the NHL, perhaps a sign that he should have spent more time developing in Saskatoon before making the transition to the professional game. Dach has 59 points in 152 games and a change of scenery could be just what he needs to get his career back on track. It’s a big risk for the Canadiens, as they’re taking a top-15 pick on a player who has thus far struggled to be a difference maker at the NHL level. That being said, if the Canadiens’ valuation of Dach is correct, they could be adding the type of big, top-six center most GMs desire and unlikely to have available to them at pick 13.
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