Guhle’s Return Has Been Impressive

Kaiden Guhle had a rough injury that derailed the defenseman’s season to some degree. He was clearly one of the most important members of the blueline and the fact that he’s playing again and is playing over 21 minutes a game in his last two contests is impressive.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Canadiens have won two of the three games that he’s played in since his return. He had three shots on goal, an assist and two hits and a block in the win over the Florida Panthers. Guhle is rounding into form at a time when the Canadiens need all hands on deck.

In the overtime win over Florida, he took 26 shifts. He’s about five shifts off what he used to take in games before he returned to action. The high bar looks like 28 in a regulation game so there’s a level he might be able to get to in the remaining games.

His wrist shot looks good. He looks good. Guhle has some offense to give but I’m not sure when that will develop. He is good for some old fashioned 5-on-5 points, that’s what I think and that could happen more in the future. 

Guhle was always good defensively and decent offensively. I think he can be a 30-35 point guy who plays a lot of minutes, will be physical, and can move the puck up the ice. He is going to be a core guy down the road and at 23, he still has a little more time to develop and that idea should please the Canadiens’ faithful.