The Montreal Canadiens’ defensive corps has already taken a hit entering training camp. According to a team announcement, defenseman Kaiden Guhle will miss the next four to five weeks following minor adductor surgery.
The injury bug isn’t new to Guhle. Last season, Guhle managed only two goals and 11 points in 39 games due to multiple lower-body injuries.
The year before, Guhle suffered a hand laceration that limited him to only 55 games. In his four-year career, Guhle has reached the 70-game threshold only once.
Assuming his recovery timeline is accurate, Montreal should expect to be without Guhle until mid-October. Because of their scheduling, Guhle may miss only four to five games at the start of the season.
However, since he won’t be available for training camp, it will take some time for him to reach full speed.
Regardless, the Canadiens will be without an important piece as the 2026-27 season begins. Guhle is arguably Montreal’s best defensive defenseman, finishing last season with a 92.5% on-ice SV% at even strength despite beginning 62.4% of his shifts in the defensive zone.
He has demonstrated the ability to move the puck from the blue line, but he has not remained healthy long enough to accumulate strong point totals.
Generally speaking, Montreal has done a terrific job over the past few years of locking up their core to affordable contracts. However, Guhle’s injury history is beginning to grow worrisome.
He’s entering the second season of a six-year, $33.3MM contract with the Canadiens signed in 2024. As the salary cap’s Upper Limit continues to grow, his contract will grow less and less burdensome.
However, if he can’t find a way to stay on the ice, it could become a far trickier contract for the Canadiens to have in their cap table.