The rink is silent, save for the sound of blades slicing across fresh ice—an echo of hope in a season defined by uncertainty. As a solitary figure glides through the morning mist at the Canadiens’ practice facility, every stride is watched, every movement dissected. It isn’t just another injured player testing his limits; it’s Kirby Dach, and his presence on the ice is sending shockwaves through Montreal’s hockey universe.

For months, the Canadiens’ roster has resembled a revolving door, with injuries forcing Kent Hughes and his staff into a relentless cycle of call-ups, waivers, and last-minute signings. Names like Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, and Alex Newhook have been missing from the lineup so long that fans have almost grown numb to the daily updates from the infirmary. The team’s chemistry has been stretched thin, and the sense of stability vanished with each new setback. Yet, beneath the surface chaos, a quiet anticipation has begun to build—a hope that, finally, something might be about to change.

Kirby Dach, once written off for a post-Christmas return, has shattered expectations simply by stepping onto the ice. It’s a moment that feels almost cinematic: the young forward, sidelined by injury and speculation, now carving out a new chapter with every lap. The news broke like wildfire, ignited by a single statement from Renaud Lavoie on BPM Sports: “Kirby Dach could return to play before Christmas.” Instantly, the mood shifted. What was once a distant possibility became a tantalizing prospect, and the city began to buzz with the question—could Dach really be back sooner than anyone dared hope?

But behind the optimism, reality remains stubbornly complex. Dach’s journey from solo skating to full-contact practice is lined with hurdles: medical clearances, conditioning tests, and the unforgiving pace of NHL play. The Canadiens’ coaches will watch his every move, looking for signs that he’s ready—not just physically, but mentally—to rejoin a team still searching for its identity. Until those boxes are checked, every update is conditional, every rumor just another piece of a puzzle that refuses to be solved.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. An early return for Dach would force Montreal’s management into difficult decisions, with roster spots for forwards like Jared Davidson and Owen Beck suddenly up for grabs. The balance of the lineup, already delicate, could tip in unexpected ways. And for fans, the dream of seeing Dach back in action is tempered by the knowledge that one wrong step could send him right back to the sidelines.

Yet, in this moment, hope outweighs caution. The sight of Dach on the ice is more than just a medical milestone—it’s a symbol of resilience, a sign that even in the most challenging seasons, the Canadiens can still find reasons to believe.

What happens next is anyone’s guess. Will Dach defy the odds and suit up before the holidays, or will caution prevail as the team navigates the final hurdles of his recovery? For now, all eyes are on the ice, waiting for the next chapter to unfold.

Photo of Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach

Photo credit: AP Photo/Rick Egan

Kirby Dach has started skating again, and it is stirring up the Canadiens’ news cycle.

In recent weeks, the club has multiplied its options to fill out the lineup.

We have seen some call-ups that were expected, others more surprising, as well as decisions related to waivers and free agency. Kent Hughes has clearly kept his phone close, because the infirmary is not letting up.

Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, and Dach are still missing. We have been talking for a long time about absences that keep dragging on, and this context has forced almost constant adjustments.

But as the days go by, attention increasingly returns to the basics, namely the idea that a return is becoming possible.

A return coming soon for Kirby Dach

About a month ago, the most commonly mentioned timeline pointed to a return after Christmas.

“Rough return timelines for the Habs injured players:

– Kirby Dach = after Christmas
– Kaiden Guhle = first week of January
– Patrik Laine = end of February after the Olympic break
– Alex Newhook = mid-March”

– Priyanta Emrith

However, on Monday morning, Renaud Lavoie reopened the file on BPM Sports by saying that a return before the holidays was still possible.

“Kirby Dach could return to play before Christmas.”

– DLC

It is not a certainty, but it changes the tone, especially given the fact that Kirby Dach has been skating again.

Between skating and rejoining a full practice, there are still concrete steps to go through. The Canadiens will need to see Dach work with the group, handle the pace, and then obtain medical clearance. Until that happens, everything remains conditional, even if the signal is encouraging.

If Dach returns earlier than expected, managing the forwards will become a headache. The club has no interest in carrying a surplus for too long, so roster moves involving Jared Davidson or Owen Beck could be made.

For now, the best news is simple: he is on the ice, and the situation is moving forward.