What stands out most about the Habs this season (as every year) is the large number of injured players: Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, Jake Evans, Kirby Dach and others.
The latter is nearing the end of his six-week return period, and although he has been seen in Brossard several times, there is no news on his case regarding a possible return.
It's a shame because he adds an interesting offensive dimension to the top 6.
Injury aside, let's assume he's back in action for the next game. Where would you place it?
One could argue that the second line should not be affected and Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield should remain together.
Placing him at number three would be a bit of a surprise, but if he's not at number three, he'll have to end up in the top spot with Caufield and Suzuki.
And that's where I would put him when he returns. Why should I do this? Simply because he has already had success with the captain and the small American striker.
Arpon Basu shares the same opinion.:
Athletic's Arpon Basu on the Habs' first line:
“Perhaps Kirby Dach will get an opportunity in this place after success there in the past. Dach can offer the same thing that Slafkowski did…”
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 5, 2026
Anyway, let's face it, even if he performs very well on the first line, Alexandre Texier has no business there.
This will return the players to their seats. Let's see what the trio would look like with Dach back (without Evans, Newhook and Anderson):
Cofield – Suzuki – roof
Slafkovsky – Kapanen – Demidov
Texier – Danault – Bolduc
Blais – Poison – Gallagher
Considering the other injured players, it really isn't that bad.
That's why Dach's return is so important for the Habs, and we've seen Dach's success with Caufield and Suzuki in the past.
And when the other missing players mentioned above return, Texier will make way for Newhook, Blais will make way for Anderson, and Veleno will take over for Evans.
With a crippled team, the Habs still find a way to succeed. Imagine a healthy team…
After a while
– What a goal to open the scoring in the gold medal match.
Kasper Juustovaara is in the minority and opens the scoring for the gold medal game
#WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/H9RQrJiSjC
– IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 6, 2026
– He never stops.
Another milestone for Ovi!
With his 447th home goal, Alex Ovechkin passes Gordie Howe for the most home goals in NHL history.
pic.twitter.com/GjotnK33LH
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 6, 2026
– Really.
Marc-Andre Fleury believes talent in NHL players makes goalies' jobs more difficult pic.twitter.com/RAGmZLv4RY
– L'Antichambre (@Antichambre) January 6, 2026
– I love hockey for moments like this.
That's what it's all about
Joey Daccord made sure these two young @SeattleKraken fans got souvenirs! pic.twitter.com/HHKvH2pjJo
– NHL (@NHL) January 6, 2026
– Expect to see Kiefer Sherwood on the move in the next two weeks.
David Pagnotta: The conversation this week seems to have been about Kiefer Sherwood, and it looks like we may see some activity there over the next week, two weeks; Sounds like Vancouver wants this to happen rather than drag it out – Hello Hockey (1/3)
– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) January 6, 2026
