Here's what Kaiden Guhle had to say after signing his new six-year extension.
Fresh off signing a six-year extension with the Montreal Canadiens this morning, Kaiden Guhle fielded questions from the press this afternoon and covered a variety of topics.
On his Even Strength Play
On his five-on-five play, Ghule mentioned he had only played 44 games in his first year while he played 70 in his sophomore season which might have led to him not playing his greatest or putting himself in the best spots. A comment that makes perfect sense really, it must not be that easy after only playing 40-odd games one year to almost double that workload and remain as fresh both physically and mentally.
The fact he played against the opponent's top players night in and night out focussing on the defensive zone more than anything else could also have played a part in the diminution of his offensive production just like not getting those lucky points you pick up here and there. After putting those possible explanations forward, he added he doesn't intend to change anything in his game going into year three though.
Long-Term Commitment
As for why he put pen to paper on a long-term deal, he emphatically stated he really believes in the group they have had for the last two years. He loves the city, the fans and his teammates. He's confident they'll be able to make a big splash in the next couple of years and push forward.
Asked if the injury issues he experienced were a factor in his decision to sign long-term, he said he didn't sign long-term for that reason. He's aware of the very physical nature of the game and the risk of injuries, but he just wanted to do the right thing and stick with the group he believes in so much.
Sticking With the Group
As for the fact Kent Hughes hasn't got anyone in free agency to speed up the rebuild, Guhle clearly doesn't mind it at all. They've had pretty much the same group for the last couple of years, a third one soon and he believes in what's being put together in Montreal.
The way I see it, the fact Hughes didn't sign anyone in free agency this time around is a positive. The GM believes in what he's building so much that he doesn't want to handicap his team by signing long contracts with older players who will be on a downward trajectory when the Canadiens are ready to contend. Guhle himself also mentioned it's good for the players to see how much confidence the team's architect has in them.
Asked what the best part is about being part of the Canadiens' core alongside Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, he explained it's great that they are all around the same age and it wasn't so long ago that the captain was exactly in his position. Their end game is to win. Not accolades or anything like that but winning as a team. When next season starts, they'll once again believe everyone has the same record initially and they'll be competing all year, to win.
On Leadership
After praising David Savard and Mike Matheson's leadership and approach with him as a young player, he believes he's now ready to take that kind of role on. He's excited about being the one who can help the kids and considering he has adorned a C on his jersey in the past (he captained Canada's 2022 World Junior Championship team), it's not at all surprising that he has that kind of leadership.
He's excited to see all of the team's younger defensemen come in at camp and see how much they've progressed and what kind of healthy competition there will be on the blue line.
Being close with the team's young core who is signed for a long time was definitely a factor in his decision to stick around and he couldn't be happier about how things went down and how long he'll be in Montreal for.
There you have it, my takeaways from the 15-minute Q and A session. While Guhle is not one who's particularly expressive, it was clear from his demeanor during the call that he is indeed excited about being part of the Canadiens' "Core Four" (a much less expensive one than the Toronto Maple Leafs' it has to be said).
Some may argue that the Leafs' nucleus is much better and it's normal that it's more expensive, but I believe that's not the right way to look at it. With a core signed to a much more team-friendly figure, the Canadiens will be able to surround it with much better players.
A Rocket Richard trophy on a fireplace mantel might look good, but it's nothing compared to a Stanley Cup ring. So far, neither core has gone all the way, although two players of the Canadiens' run have made it to the Cup Final as often as the Leafs' have made it to the second round of the playoffs.
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