Kirby Dach Scouting Report

Written By: Clare McManus

    Selected by the Chicago Blackhawks, 3rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Dach has proven to be a great pick. The 6’4 two-way center, who currently plays for the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, is a smooth center with offensive and defensive senses. This season with the Blades, Dach scored 25 goals and added 48 assist for 73 points in 62 games. During the WHL playoffs, Dach notched 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points in 20 games played. In 2018/19, Dach also suited up for Team Canada’s U18 team during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and scored 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in 5 games. On July 10th, 2019 the Blackhawks signed Kirby to a three year entry-level contract. 

Kirby Dach is a decent skater who has good top end speed but needs to improve on his first few steps. For being a big guy, Dach is very smooth on his edgework and agility and can easily skate through other players. He is hard to knock off the puck as he possesses great balance and also has long powerful strides who can rush the puck through the middle of the ice. He isn't the best skater but makes up for it with his smart playmaking abilities. 


Offensively, Dach is a pass first center with great playmaking abilities and exceptional hockey sense. He is always aware on the ice with amazing vision and can open up scoring lanes for teammates in tight areas. He has very impressive stickhandling abilities and can drive through the middle of the ice right to the net. With his outstanding balance and edgework, Dach is great at protecting the puck and making moves through defenders, especially down low. He has a good shot with a quick release and should use it more often. Because of Dach's ability to read plays well, he is very effective on the powerplay as he is tough to contain along the boards and gives his teammates great scoring opportunities. 

Defensively, Dach is physical using his body, although does not check much, and he can get back to help his teammates with pressure. He is a strong player along the boards and does well to make sure the front of the net is clear. With his long stick he is good at taking away lanes and can interrupt up plays. He does well in the faceoff circle and can be used as an effective player on the penalty kill. 

Dach could potentially be elite Top-Line center the NHL. He is a player that any team in the NHL would love to have. Kirby Dach game resembles a young Ryan Getzlaf.