Kaiden Guhle took a real step forward in his recovery Monday, getting back on the ice as a full participant at Canadiens practice after minor adductor surgery in September, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.
That’s the kind of update Montreal has been waiting for. Guhle has already missed the first two games of the Canadiens’ 2026-27 season while working his way back, and his return to practice suggests the healing process is moving in the right direction.
The 24-year-old defenseman’s availability has been a recurring concern for Montreal. Last season, he was limited to 39 games because of injuries, and the year before that he played 55.
When he’s healthy, he looks the part of a legitimate top-four blueliner. The problem has been stringing together enough healthy time for that version of Guhle to show up consistently.
The Canadiens will be hoping the two games he’s already missed end up being the bulk of his absence this season.
Elsewhere, Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Lardis is hitting a rough patch after a preseason that had plenty of people buzzing. The 21-year-old was one of the bright spots in camp and quickly became a popular breakout pick, but the early-season results have not matched the hype.
The Athletic’s Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus reported today that “Lardis is back in [Head Coach Jeff] Blashill’s doghouse.” On Saturday, he was Chicago’s least-used forward and logged just over seven minutes of ice time.
It’s still early, and nobody should be tearing up their preseason expectations over a few games, but the latest usage is still worth noting after how well he looked before the season began.
In Switzerland, former Florida Panthers top prospect Henrik Borgstrom has landed a new deal. HC Fribourg-Gottéron announced on social media that Borgstrom signed a two-year contract extension with the club.
Borgstrom, now 29, was once viewed as a future top-six NHL center after starring at the University of Denver, but he never stuck at the NHL level. He’s built a strong résumé overseas, though, with an AHL All-Star nod and a Calder Cup championship on his record.
He also helped Fribourg-Gottéron win the Swiss National League title last season, and he has two points through two games this season.
In Other News...
Canadiens Found An Encouraging Response In Their First Game Without Suzuki
The Canadiens opened their four-game road trip with a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks at the United Center, and the response was exactly the sort of one they needed after losing captain Nick Suzuki to injury. Montreal did not just get by without its top center, it found a useful spark from the bottom of the lineup, where Jake Evans stepped into a bigger role and helped steady the group in a game that could have gone sideways.
Lane Hutson also found himself in a new kind of spotlight, taking on ironman status for Montreal after Suzuki's long streak came to an end. The bigger-picture concern is obvious enough, because the Canadiens will have to keep answering questions about life without their captain while navigating the rest of the trip, and the early signs from this one were encouraging even if the lineup picture is still unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Tough Zach Whitecloud Decision On Blue-Line Help
Montreals search for blue-line help has turned into a familiar midseason balancing act, with Zach Whitecloud among the names tied to the Canadiens as they weigh whether to add reinforcements or stay patient. The Calgary Flames are holding firm in those discussions, and Whiteclouds $2.75 million cap hit gives the price tag some bite for a player who has yet to record a point this season and sits at minus-5.
For the Canadiens, the real question is whether the upgrade is worth paying up for when other defensive options remain in play. Montreal has been linked to additional targets as well, which gives the front office some room to compare fit, cost and urgency while Calgary shows no sign of moving Whitecloud at a discount. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Prospect Is Suddenly Looking Like A Real Draft Steal
Brayden Klimpkes rise with the Saskatoon Blades is starting to make Montreals long-term hold on his rights look a lot more intriguing. The 19-year-old Canadiens prospect has piled up 15 points in 10 WHL games, a sharp burst for a player who has become the Blades captain and now looks much more comfortable driving play from the back end after a major physical growth spurt.
At 6 feet, Klimpke has clearly changed the look of his game as much as his frame, and his next step only adds to the interest around him. He is committed to the University of North Dakota, while Montreal will keep his NHL rights through 2031, giving the Canadiens plenty of time to see whether this early offensive jump is the start of something bigger. [Read more 🡒]