Frank Seravalli says the Oilers are "obsessed" with landing Canadiens' forward
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Frank Seravalli says the Oilers' interest in Kirby Dach borders on obsession, with Edmonton determined to land the Canadiens forward eventually.
Kirby Dach is fighting for a lineup spot in Montreal, and the noise around him keeps getting louder.
The 25 year old center is battling younger prospects for ice time this camp, and there is real chatter that the Canadiens could look to move on from him and clear his $3.6 million cap hit.
Dach says he is not letting the speculation get to him.
He has repeated that he is focused on the fundamentals the coaching staff has stressed and feels he is building on that every day at camp.
Two teams reportedly circling
According to insider Frank Seravalli, at least two clubs have been watching the situation closely, the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames.
"The interest in Edmonton borders on drooling; the Oilers are intent on acquiring Dach at some point, whether that's before the season starts, at the March 1 trade deadline, or next summer as a free agent.”
- Frank Seravalli
- Frank Seravalli
Both are hoping the asking price softens after Montreal held firm on demands that reportedly included a second round pick as far back as June.
Some believe Montreal could ultimately package Dach in a bigger swap, with names like Columbus winger Kirill Marchenko floated as the type of piece that might interest the Canadiens more than futures alone.
Seravalli did not hold back on how badly Edmonton wants in.
He described the Oilers as intent on acquiring Dach at some point, whether that comes before opening night, at the March trade deadline, or even in free agency next summer.
Why Edmonton keeps coming up
The obvious storyline is reuniting Kirby with his younger brother Colton, who is already in the Oilers system after being part of the trade that brought Jason Dickinson to Edmonton.
But the real connection may run through general manager Stan Bowman, who drafted Dach third overall back in 2019 in Chicago and has long believed his injury history has masked his true upside.
Montreal is not expected to simply give him away, but the fact that his qualifying offer this summer came in as a two way deal sent a clear message.
The clock appears to be ticking on his future with the Canadiens.
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