Canadiens celebrating a goal (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The Montreal Canadiens made waves when they signed Mike Matheson to a five-year, $30M contract last week. The Canadiens have also locked up three key members of their defensive core in a matter of six months now, with Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson signing eight-year commitments.
The Canadiens also boast significant depth throughout their lineup, such as Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and Alex Carrier; all while having Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher on the way up.
Those are soon to be nine capable NHL defensemen in the Canadiens’ organization once the two latter youngsters reach maturity, meaning the Canadiens need to make decisions. After all, they’ll likely be carrying seven defensemen.
So who’s the odd man out?
Kaiden Guhle’s Part Of The Plans
With two left-handed defensemen signed to long-term deals in a matter of six weeks between Hutson and Matheson, it makes sense to question Guhle’s place on the team moving forward.
But their handedness is basically where the comparisons stop between the aforementioned rearguards and Guhle.
Guhle just began the first year of a six-year agreement with the Montreal Canadiens on a sweetheart of a deal worth $5.5M per year. If it wasn’t for Guhle’s yearly freak injury history, he’d be seen as one of the better bargains in the NHL.
It was recently speculated by Jean-Charles Lajoie of TVA Sports that Guhle’s name had started to come up in trade discussions with other teams, which RG can confirm.
However, RG can also confirm that Guhle’s name has been brought up by other teams for a while. Some Western Conference clubs showed interest in Guhle over the last two offseasons, but were met with an immediate denial.
The Canadiens have made it clear that they believe Guhle to be part of the future in Montreal, as he brings a level of physicality, defensive awareness, and mobility in a package that no other defenseman possesses for the Canadiens at this time.
Guhle is a universally appreciated player across NHL executives when he’s healthy and playing, so it only makes sense that they’d shoot their shot.
But as of this time, the Canadiens don’t intend on moving such an important piece.
That doesn’t mean they don’t have other options.
Best Offense is a Good Defense
The Canadiens are more than likely going to have to make decisions on what to do with Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, Adam Engstrom, and David Reinbacher.
Alex Carrier is also part of this conversation, but his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027, and the Canadiens will eventually need to replace him on the bottom pair. That’s where Reinbacher will likely factor in.
As it pertains to Reinbacher, he’s now just started to display consistency and an offensive flair in the AHL after two seasons riddled with injury. To consider moving, especially right now, would be a sell-low situation — something that General Manager Kent Hughes does not like to do.
RG recently reported that a handful of teams have shown interest in Adam Engstrom while he was dominating in Laval. He’s done nothing at the NHL level to hurt his rapidly rising stock, but the Canadiens also have a great deal of appreciation for him and want to see how he can play in the NHL for a handful of games.
Arber Xhekaj, who has been in and out of the lineup at times over the last two seasons, brings a level of physicality and rough stuff that none of his peers provide on the backend. He’s shown much more discipline this season and has even begun getting reps on the PK for the Canadiens.
Meanwhile, Jayden Struble has been asked to fill in for an injured Guhle at even strength, lining up with Lane Hutson on the Canadiens’ 2nd pair. He plays a smooth, safe style that opposing teams would like.
It really does feel like a decision will have to come between Engstrom, Struble, and Xhekaj eventually, but the Canadiens feel they have the luxury of time to let this play out a little bit.
There are teams that have significant appreciation for Xhekaj, some for Struble, and some for Engstrom. So, if ever a can’t-miss top-six player does become available, and the Canadiens want to make a big swing, as they did this summer with Noah Dobson, they’ll have the assets to do so.
Until then, these youngsters will continue to fight to maintain or improve their spot in the Canadiens’ defensive pecking order.
For GM Kent Hughes, who’d then be dealing from a position of strength, that’s a pretty good problem to have.