Kent Hughes may already have one of his best moves locked in with Kaiden Guhle.
Two years ago this month, the Canadiens general manager signed the young defenseman to a long-term contract worth $33.3 million, or $5.55 million per season. That number already looks light, and the gap between the deal and Guhle’s value keeps widening.
The reason is pretty simple: when Guhle is rolling, he changes games.
That’s why analyst Matthew Ohayon’s comparison on Tony Marinaro’s podcast landed so hard. As Ohayon put it: "When he's at his best, he's unbelievable. It's kind of like a crazy comparison I'm going to make, but he reminds me of Shea Weber."
It’s a bold name to invoke, but the logic is easy to follow. Guhle doesn’t bring Weber’s offensive toolkit or that famous slap shot, but he does bring the same bite. He hits hard, plays with edge, and makes himself felt in the same way Weber used to for Montreal.
Of course, the big question around Guhle has never been talent. It’s been availability.
The 24-year-old was limited to 39 games last season, unable to get through a full year. His style is fearless, and that same fearlessness can put him in harm’s way.
Still, the Canadiens are plainly a better team when he’s out there. Guhle finished with a +5 rating, another sign of how much he matters when he’s wearing the Canadiens jersey.
And the reminder came again in the playoffs.
He played 19 postseason games last spring and was extremely valuable, with that Weber-like version of his game showing up when it counted most.
Guhle doesn’t have to become Shea Weber to justify the hype. But if he can stay healthy, the bargain Hughes signed may end up looking even better than it already does.
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Canadiens Fans Are Still Waiting On One Martin St-Louis Decision
The Canadiens are still waiting on Martin St-Louis to put pen to paper on the contract extension many around the team expected to be a formality by mid-July. It is a little out of step with how Montreal has handled coaching business in the past, especially after the club moved quickly on extensions in 2022 and 2024, but there has been no official sign of trouble as the front office and head coach keep carrying on as usual.
Even so, the longer the decision lingers, the more natural it is for outside speculation to creep in about where things stand. For now, the mood around the situation remains positive, and there is nothing to suggest the Canadiens view this as anything more than a delay in getting a deal done. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Trade Talk Suddenly Fits The Plan Fans Have Debated All Summer
The Canadiens summer of roster debate has mostly centered on one familiar question: how does Kent Hughes add more speed, skill and flexibility without crowding the young core already in place? That is why the latest trade chatter has such an easy fit in Montreal, with the focus landing on players who could slide into different spots up front and give the lineup a little more punch if the right deal comes along.
What makes the conversation interesting is that the options being discussed all bring something a little different to the table, from centre-wing versatility to a more direct scoring threat. Hughes has shown a willingness to keep looking for moves that match the teams long-term plan, and this is the kind of speculation that naturally gets fans talking because it feels less like a random rumor and more like the sort of swing Montreal has been waiting to make. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Let A Real Free Agency Chance Quietly Slip Away
Anthony Manthas offseason market offered a small window into how the Canadiens are approaching free agency under Kent Hughes. Mantha said Montreal did talk with him, which fits with a team that has been willing to explore options, but also one that has been selective about where it spends its money and what kind of player it wants to add.
Mantha was looking for a longer-term commitment, and Montreal never got comfortable enough with the fit to keep pushing. Hughes has made it clear the Canadiens are not interested in forcing a move just to say they were active, and this was another example of that caution shaping the roster, even if it meant letting a recognizable name move on. [Read more 🡒]