Finding The Right Canadiens Defensive Partner For Guhle
Kaiden Guhle was drafted by the previous management regime; however, his presence in the Montreal Canadiens lineup fits the ideal roster construction: combining size and skill.
(Editor’s Note: This is an article written by special contributor Tyler Major- McNicol. You can follow him on X by clicking here.)
The Canadiens’ first-round selection (16th overall) in 2020, Guhle, would be the ideal defence partner for their cornerstone superstar blueliner, Lane Hutson, if he were a right shot. However, that is not the case, and while the organization sits waiting for 2023 fifth-overall selection David Reinbacher, Guhle might be just what the doctor ordered. Reinbacher still possesses an intriguing amount of potential, but the fact remains that his development path has been riddled with injuries and other mitigating factors.
As for Guhle, you may argue that a first-round pick should produce more offence, but we have to keep his hellish assignments in mind when discussing his results. It’s also key to remember that Guhle is never used on the powerplay, thus, the vast majority of his production throughout his career has come at even-strength.
Additionally, it’s not as though general manager Kent Hughes is upset about having a defenceman with top-four potential, an efficient puck-moving game, and above-average defensive details. Guhle’s underlying numbers, which are traditionally underwhelming due to his usage, are much more encouraging any time he’s used alongside Hutson.
Where Guhle Fits In the Canadiens’ Lineup
Guhle was a known heavy hitter in his junior hockey days, split between the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders and Edmonton Oil Kings. A skim through social media and YouTube highlight packages shows his willingness to step up at the blue line and even centre ice, devastating the opposition with bone-crunching open-ice hits.
Where Hutson brings finesse and controlled chaos with his elite edge work, a processor that seems to move a million miles a minute, and a motor that never seems to burn out, Guhle is a little more controlled and elects to use his energy shutting down plays and making a strong first pass out of the defensive zone. Though he has a solid shot—be it a snapshot or quick snapshot—Guhle is more of a passer, precisely what complements Hutson’s strength.
If Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson can stick together consistently, Hutson and Guhle can round out a very strong top-four for the Canadiens. Guhle would be the first to admit that injuries have slowed him and even caused plenty of frustration, but a healthy season out of No. 21 could help Hutson establish himself as a point-per-game defenceman.
Heading into his fifth season, and the second of his six-year, $30.30-million contract, Guhle has yet to play a full 82-game season, and he played just 39 games in 2025-26. A bright spot on the Canadiens’ defence through the playoffs, Guhle suited up for all 19 of the Canadiens’ playoff games in their most recent run to the Eastern Conference Final.
Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks
Now, ideally, Reinbacher would come in, start on the third pair, make his way up to the top-four, and play precisely where many perceive he was drafted to play: alongside Hutson. But we must be realistic about Reinbacher’s current situation. He’s not ready for a top-four role.
In the interest of practicing patience, Guhle is a great option to play big minutes, especially showing his value on the penalty kill.
Guhle balances a pairing with Hutson quite seamlessly because of his skill set, but it also helps that the Albertan is six-foot-two and 205 pounds, providing the size and grit necessary to keep opposing forwards honest. If Kaiden Guhle can stay healthy and provide the Canadiens with exactly what he was drafted to do, developing into a bona fide top-four presence is the next step for the versatile defenceman.
Kaiden Guhle and Montreal Canadiens statistics via Elite Prospects.
