Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle stated on Monday that he feels physically better than almost ever before in his NHL career, following an offseason adductor surgery that sidelined him for the start of the season.
Selected 16th overall by Montreal in the 2020 NHL Draft, the 24-year-old Edmonton native has long been viewed by the organization as its premier shutdown defenseman, a role management envisioned when drafting him. However, his development was previously slowed by a series of major injuries, including two groin surgeries, a quadriceps laceration, and a concussion.
“Last year, I came back after 40 games. It was difficult, especially since teams play differently in the second half of the season,” Guhle said, as reported by Radio-Canada. “Physically, I feel really good. It helps a lot. Mentally, it’s easier to come to the rink knowing I feel good.”
In the absence of veteran defenseman Mike Matheson, Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis has deployed Guhle into heavy defensive minutes against opposing top forward lines. Operating alongside Alexandre Carrier, Guhle spent Saturday evening containing the primary lines of William Nylander and Auston Matthews.
Data from NHL.com indicates that Guhle averages 23 minutes and 13 seconds of ice time per game, ranking third on the club behind Lane Hutson at 24 minutes and 58 seconds and Matheson at 23 minutes and 45 seconds. Furthermore, Guhle shares the team lead in hits with Josh Anderson at 36.
St-Louis said that the pairing spends roughly 45 percent of its shifts facing elite competition. During those tough matchups, Montreal has scored three goals while allowing two. “They know what their job is, you know what you’re going to get from them,” St-Louis said regarding the predictability and consistency of his shutdown pair.
Partnering with Guhle on the right side, Alexandre Carrier provides a steady veteran presence while allowing Montreal’s offensively gifted rearguards to thrive in more favorable zone starts.
“When you have a guy like Roman Josi… We have Lane, we have Dobson, all those offensive guys,” Carrier said, referencing teammates Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson. “They are the ones with the most offensive touches and offensive-zone faceoffs. It takes guys on the other side to balance all that out. We are proud of this role, even if it’s not an easy role.”
Carrier, 30, is playing in the final year of his contract.
Worth a look
