Kirby Duck flying high over Canadiens topline to return to Chicago

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CHICAGO — Kirby Duck is excited for a homecoming of sorts when the Canadiens take on the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. (2pm, TSN2, RDS TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

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Dach spent the first three seasons of his NHL career in Chicago, but this will be his first game against his former team.

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“It’s great to be back out there and seeing the players and staff,” said Duck, who scored the winning goal in the Canadiens’ 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Wednesday. “It’s nice to get out of the way and move on. Whenever someone gets traded, I want to play a good game with them and prove them wrong. Be a good game.” I hope and enjoy it.”

Dach offers a little incentive for new teammates. When asked if he would put some money on the table for this game, he smiled.

Montreal acquired Duck with the 13th overall pick in the July draft, acquired from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenseman Alexander Romanov.

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The Canadiens hoped Duck could help them in midfield, but instead, he’s the perfect complement to Nick Suzuki and Cole Caulfield on the No. 1 line and has been for some time. Suzuki is 23, Duck and Corfield are 21.

The move solved two problems for the Canadiens.

Head coach Martin St. Louis says Duck’s problems in showdown circles (where he’s won about 34% in his career) may outweigh a wrist injury that required surgery in 2021. It didn’t take me long to notice.

And after trying out Josh Anderson and Mike Hoffman on the right wing with the youngsters, it was clear they would be better off on the line where they could be the top choice.

Duck was the third pick in the 2019 NHL Draft behind Jack Hughes and Capo.
Cool, but beats No. 9 Trevor Zegras and No. 15 Caufield.

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The Blackhawks had high hopes for Duck and projected him as a second-line center.

Dach tallied 8 goals and 15 assists in 64 games as a rookie, but his productivity declined in his second season and he was loaned out to the National Junior Team. The idea was that he would benefit from being the captain of the team and put on a strong showing at the lower levels to boost his confidence.

The plan fell through when he broke his wrist during an exhibition game against Russia. The surgery should have ended his season, but he came back early after three months without a full recovery. I struggled and was minus 18.

A change of scenery and a shift in his role bring out the best in Dach. He is on the cusp of a breakthrough season with his 4 goals and 13 assists in his 20 games.

phickey@postmedia.com

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