Following the conclusion of his third game with the Rockford IceHogs on a conditioning assignment, the Chicago Blackhawks recalled Kirby Dach to the NHL late Friday night. Dach played in three games of a possible five during his conditioning stint with Rockford.
Blackhawks recall Dach after three conditioning games with IceHogs
Seeing his first game action since the Traverse City rookie tournament, Dach jumped into the IceHogs lineup just a week ago after being assigned to the AHL club on a conditioning assignment. On Wednesday, when speaking to the media, Blackhawks head coach said of Dach’s timeline in the AHL, “He can only be down (in Rockford) for two weeks, so after that then it’s certainly on the radar. But I don’t think we have it down to the day.”
Dach only needed seven days to show the Blackhawks that he was up to speed. In three games with the IceHogs, Dach recorded no points, had seven shots on net and was a minus-one.
Kirby Dach made his professional debut with the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday night. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)
While with the IceHogs, Dach showed flashes of the skill-set that led him to be the third overall pick by the Blackhawks in this past June’s NHL Entry Draft. His size as an 18-year old helps his overall game, using his reach to keep pucks away from defenders and breakup plays on the defensive side of his game. At the faceoff circle, Dach showed some improvement from game one to game three, but it was clear that his abilities at the dot still have a way to go at the professional level.
If he is going to theoretically step into the third-line center position for the Blackhawks and bump David Kampf out of that spot, he is going to either have to drastically improve on faceoffs or his offensive upside needs to outshine that of Kampf’s two-way abilities early on. Dach handled the physical play at the AHL, which is especially significant after missing time due to a concussion. He didn’t shy away from the contact, but looked more to absorb the hits than be giving any out. A positive sign, all things considered.
What’s Next?
The IceHogs are back in action on Saturday night as they face the Chicago Wolves at the Allstate Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Central Time.
The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action on Sunday as they play host to the Washington Capitals. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. Central Time at the United Center. Still remains to be seen whether or not Dach will be in the lineup on Sunday to make his NHL debut with the Blackhawks.