The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly drooling over Kirby Dach, and Stan Bowman has real history with the Montreal Canadiens winger.
Frank Seravalli reported that the Oilers and the Calgary Flames are both looking to trade for the 25-year-old. His word for Edmonton's interest was "drooling."
That makes Saturday night a little spicier. The Oilers host the Flames, the one team Seravalli has chasing the same player.
The Bowman connection runs deep. He was running the Chicago Blackhawks when they drafted Dach third overall in 2019.
Seravalli said Bowman believes injuries have kept the Fort Saskatchewan product from reaching his potential. The games played back that up.
Since a 64-game rookie season, he's topped 60 games only once. He played just three in 2023-24.
What Stan Bowman would have to send Kent Hughes for Dach
Montreal isn't giving him away. Multiple teams offered a second-round pick this offseason, and Seravalli reported the Canadiens held out for more.
They paid a lot to get him, too. Montreal sent the 13th and 66th overall picks to Chicago in 2022.
Here's what a fair Edmonton offer looks like: a second-round pick, a mid-level prospect and a conditional pick that climbs if Dach re-signs or the Oilers go deep.
Anything close to a first-round pick would be a mistake. He's a pending unrestricted free agent with a long injury file and a $3,600,000 cap hit.
The money matters, too. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard alone count $37,000,000 against the cap, so Edmonton may need to send salary back.
When healthy, he produces. He had 15 points in 37 games last season, then added five more in 19 playoff games.
His best year came in 2022-23 with Montreal, when he posted 14 goals and 38 points.
Chasing him is like booking a headliner who's cancelled half his tours. When he actually shows up, the building shakes.
There's a family angle, with his younger brother Colton already with the Oilers. Seravalli stressed that isn't what's driving this.
Mike Babcock's Oilers are 3-0 this preseason and open the regular season Tuesday at home against Vancouver.
If Montreal keeps asking for more than a second, Calgary gets its shot to outbid Edmonton. And losing Dach to the Flames would sting a lot worse than overpaying by a pick.
Should the Oilers pay more than a second-round pick for Kirby Dach?
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