To think that Kaiden Guhle does all that… playing on the right

For four games, Kaiden Guhle has been the Canadian’s best defender.

I know, I know: the sample size is small. But I can’t magically invent 16 more games and say we’re 1/4 of the way through the season. So we’re going to talk about what we can.

Guhle isn’t the most flamboyant defenseman on the ice, but it’s clear he’s in good shape right now.

While the third defense pairing is unstable (which isn’t abnormal, considering the guys playing there) and the veterans have a tougher time at times, Guhle is a strength for the club.

Besides, speaking of veterans, I don’t know where the idea of leaving David Savard aside because he isn’t having a good start to the season comes from, but that’s not going to happen any time soon. . As long as he’s healthy, he’ll play. He may have to play less, but he will play.

Guhle produces at a similar offensive rate to Lane Hutson (four points in four games), but Guhle doesn’t put himself at risk. This is nothing against Hutson, who is learning to play in the NHL and who is dynamic: it is mainly to praise Guhle that I say this.

But what’s more, Guhle (who scored) does it without playing on the power play. He does this by playing more than 21 minutes per game against opposing big lines. And he does it playing on the right, so not on his natural side.

Guhle has never been recognized as an offensive defenseman in the NHL, but his recovery this season has been excellent. He was on the ice for the majority of CH’s five-on-five goals and his +6 differential, as highlighted by Vincent Duquette, says it all.

Even without a full training camp, you can see he’s taken it to the next level.

He is currently the Canadiens’ best defenseman and next year, when his contract of $5.55 million per year over six years comes into effect, he will be paid as such. His production is important… and I repeat, but he does it playing on the right, where the depth is thin in the long term.

Regardless of his playing partner (Mike Matheson or Lane Hutson), Guhle is able to juggle the importance of playing defense and participating in offense at the same time.

Besides, speaking of the wolf: Hutson and Guhle, in the long term, could they make a pair?

For the moment, Guhle is healthy. We must hope that the CH continues because if this is the case, it will continue to gain ground in the coming years. And once there, who knows what his ceiling will be?