‘Could Be Seen as Problematic’ — Montreal Insider Touches Base on Canadiens’ $3.6M Kirby Dach Vs. $9.5M Anthony Mantha Decision

The Montreal Canadiens continue to prioritize flexibility as they shape the next phase of their roster, choosing measured decisions over splashy commitments that could restrict future options. Every contract now appears to fit into a broader organizational blueprint, where value, timing, and long-term planning carry just as much weight as immediate production.

This philosophy has sparked fresh discussion about how the team evaluates risk versus reward, leading directly into one insider’s assessment of Montreal’s contrasting decisions involving Kirby Dach and overlooking Anthony Mantha.

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Marco D’Amico Breaks Down Canadiens’ Kirby Dach Strategy

Montreal insider Marco D’Amico believes the Canadiens’ decision was never about choosing Dach over Mantha as the better player. Instead, he argued that the organization focused on roster flexibility, future asset management, and avoiding long-term financial commitments that could become difficult to move later.

Speaking on The Starr & D’Amico Show, D’Amico explained that opportunity plays a major role in evaluating Mantha’s value. “If Mantha is not playing top-six minutes and he’s not getting prime power-play time, he’s not getting 64 points. He’ll probably be more toward the trajectory that Kirby Dach is on, around 40 to 45 points.”

He added that deployment matters just as much as talent, asking, “You all have to worry about opportunity because then what does that player do when you get to the playoffs?”

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This viewpoint aligns with Montreal’s decision to sign Dach to a one-year, $3.6 million prove-it contract rather than going for a two-year, $9.5 million commitment, which the New Jersey Devils made to Mantha.

Dach has battled significant injuries over the last four seasons, missing 174 regular-season games because of wrist, knee, and foot injuries, making a short-term agreement a lower-risk investment for general manager Kent Hughes.

D’Amico also suggested the Canadiens could view Dach as a valuable trade asset if he enjoys a healthy season.

“We’ve seen Kirby Dach, in pockets, look good,” he said. “He has shown an ability to elevate his game in the playoffs when pushed.” He continued, “I’m not arguing that Kirby Dach is better than Anthony Mantha, but I’m saying that, in the greater vision of what the team is trying to do, I think Kirby Dach is going to be flipped at a certain point in time if he’s able to elevate this season.”

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He pointed to the length of the contract as another clue behind Montreal’s thinking, calling the agreement a “prove-me contract.” D’Amico added, “If he does it, unless he blows everybody out of the water, I would be shocked if he were back with Montreal next season. That’s my take.”

The insider also emphasized that the sticking point with Mantha was never solely his $4.75 million annual cap hit. “The term was the stickler,” D’Amico explained. “Everybody looks at $4.75 million and they’re like, ‘That’s totally fine’… But it’s the second year. That’s what could be seen as problematic because if things don’t work out and it looks terrible… you always have to be careful.”

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Using Anaheim’s Alex Killorn situation as an example of how multi-year contracts can complicate roster management, D’Amico concluded that Montreal’s move was simply about preserving flexibility.

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“I think this is just a flexibility move for the time being. Get the asset under contract. He’s controlled and becomes easier to move after that… I don’t think this signals that the Canadiens are done by any stretch.”