Latest news with #KaidenGuhle
Calgary Herald
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Canadiens ready to take 'next step': Kaiden Guhle
Article content He's only 23 and about to enter his fourth season with the Canadiens, but Kaiden Guhle is quickly emerging as a leader in the dressing room and, more importantly, on the ice with his physical play. Article content After reaching the playoffs for the first time in his NHL career, the defenceman believes the Canadiens are there to stay and that the painstaking rebuilding process is over. Article content Article content 'I think a lot of us are over the rebuild talk,' Guhle said during Friday's season-ending media availability. 'I think we're ready to go now. It was the first playoff appearance for a lot of us. It was a really good experience for a lot of us to get into these meaningful games. I think we're ready to take that next step for sure.' Article content Article content It wasn't the easiest of seasons for the Canadiens collectively and Guhle individually. He had an appendectomy in September and then lacerated the quadriceps muscle in his leg during a Jan. 28 game against Winnipeg. Surgery was required the next day and he returned one month later. Article content The Canadiens' first-round (16th overall) draft choice in 2020 had six goals and 18 points in 55 games. Article content As for the Canadiens, they rebounded after the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament to capture the Eastern Conference's final wild-card berth, making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. While Montreal fell to Washington in five games, the series was competitive. Article content Article content During the second period of Game 5, Guhle was part of a three-on-one break while the Canadiens were short-handed and trailing 2-0 in a game they lost, 4-1. Article content 'Playoff hockey is hard,' Guhle said. 'It's tough. Mentally and physically, it's a grind. The bounces didn't go our way. Every play matters because it's so tight. If I score in that fifth game, who knows where we're at now? Every play matters even more in the playoffs. We know what it takes to get there. To stay there is tough. It was important to get there and experience it. I have no doubt that we'll be back. Everyone in this room is young and hungry. I have so much belief in this group. Article content 'We were resilient all year and never gave up. There were a lot of tough days at the rink. Obviously, not every day was easy and fun. It seemed for a bit there were a lot of tough days in a row. It would have been easy for us to give up and throw the towel in. Not one guy did that. I think we take that adversity we went through this year. It's going to be huge for this group. A lot of the core guys will remember that feeling and this feeling now that we're having. Obviously, it's not guaranteed to make the playoffs every year, but we'll be back for sure.'
Vancouver Sun
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canadiens ready to take 'next step': Kaiden Guhle
He's only 23 and about to enter his fourth season with the Canadiens, but Kaiden Guhle is quickly emerging as a leader in the dressing room and, more importantly, on the ice with his physical play. After reaching the playoffs for the first time in his NHL career, the defenceman believes the Canadiens are there to stay and that the painstaking rebuilding process is over. 'I think a lot of us are over the rebuild talk,' Guhle said during Friday's season-ending media availability. 'I think we're ready to go now. It was the first playoff appearance for a lot of us. It was a really good experience for a lot of us to get into these meaningful games. I think we're ready to take that next step for sure.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. It wasn't the easiest of seasons for the Canadiens collectively and Guhle individually. He had an appendectomy in September and then lacerated the quadriceps muscle in his leg during a Jan. 28 game against Winnipeg. Surgery was required the next day and he returned one month later. The Canadiens' first-round (16th overall) draft choice in 2020 had six goals and 18 points in 55 games. As for the Canadiens, they rebounded after the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament to capture the Eastern Conference's final wild-card berth, making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. While Montreal fell to Washington in five games, the series was competitive. During the second period of Game 5, Guhle was part of a three-on-one break while the Canadiens were short-handed and trailing 2-0 in a game they lost, 4-1. 'Playoff hockey is hard,' Guhle said. 'It's tough. Mentally and physically, it's a grind. The bounces didn't go our way. Every play matters because it's so tight. If I score in that fifth game, who knows where we're at now? Every play matters even more in the playoffs. We know what it takes to get there. To stay there is tough. It was important to get there and experience it. I have no doubt that we'll be back. Everyone in this room is young and hungry. I have so much belief in this group. 'We were resilient all year and never gave up. There were a lot of tough days at the rink. Obviously, not every day was easy and fun. It seemed for a bit there were a lot of tough days in a row. It would have been easy for us to give up and throw the towel in. Not one guy did that. I think we take that adversity we went through this year. It's going to be huge for this group. A lot of the core guys will remember that feeling and this feeling now that we're having. Obviously, it's not guaranteed to make the playoffs every year, but we'll be back for sure.' Like Guhle, fellow defenceman Arber Xhekaj had his own struggles while trying to secure a permanent spot on the Canadiens' blue line. It always seemed like he and Jayden Struble were battling for the final spot. Nonetheless, Xhekaj, an undrafted free agent in 2021, dressed for 70 games, notching one goal and six points along with a minus-13 rating. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder also was a healthy scratch for the opening two games against the Capitals until head coach Martin St. Louis decided the Canadiens needed his physical presence against a bigger and heavier opponent. 'It was tough and it sucks not being in the lineup,' Xhekaj said. 'You want to be part of it. You see guys all banged up after the games. They're sad that we lost and you're not playing. There's not much I could say. It's hard to change the lineup when you're winning. It's understandable. There were guys who were playing really well. 'But I think I had a good season. I had a lot of good games and figured out how to play that defensive style, become a guy who could contribute to the team. I think things went well for me.' Xhekaj's challenge will be learning to walk the fine line between playing sound defence and deciding when to keep the opposition honest. Like Guhle, the 24-year-old is entering his fourth season. 'As I learn that defensive side and get really comfortable with it, I can start adding the big hits,' he said. 'I can line guys up better and know when the time's right. It goes with experience.'
Ottawa Citizen
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Canadiens ready to take 'next step': Kaiden Guhle
Article content He's only 23 and about to enter his fourth season with the Canadiens, but Kaiden Guhle is quickly emerging as a leader in the dressing room and, more importantly, on the ice with his physical play. Article content After reaching the playoffs for the first time in his NHL career, the defenceman believes the Canadiens are there to stay and that the painstaking rebuilding process is over. Article content Article content 'I think a lot of us are over the rebuild talk,' Guhle said during Friday's season-ending media availability. 'I think we're ready to go now. It was the first playoff appearance for a lot of us. It was a really good experience for a lot of us to get into these meaningful games. I think we're ready to take that next step for sure.' Article content Article content It wasn't the easiest of seasons for the Canadiens collectively and Guhle individually. He had an appendectomy in September and then lacerated the quadriceps muscle in his leg during a Jan. 28 game against Winnipeg. Surgery was required the next day and he returned one month later. Article content The Canadiens' first-round (16th overall) draft choice in 2020 had six goals and 18 points in 55 games. As for the Canadiens, they rebounded after the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament to capture the Eastern Conference's final wild-card berth, making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. While Montreal fell to Washington in five games, the series was competitive. Article content Article content During the second period of Game 5, Guhle was part of a three-on-one break while the Canadiens were short-handed and trailing 2-0 in a game they lost, 4-1. Article content 'Playoff hockey is hard,' Guhle said. 'It's tough. Mentally and physically, it's a grind. The bounces didn't go our way. Every play matters because it's so tight. If I score in that fifth game, who knows where we're at now? Every play matters even more in the playoffs. We know what it takes to get there. To stay there is tough. It was important to get there and experience it. I have no doubt that we'll be back. Everyone in this room is young and hungry. I have so much belief in this group. Article content 'We were resilient all year and never gave up. There were a lot of tough days at the rink. Obviously, not every day was easy and fun. It seemed for a bit there were a lot of tough days in a row. It would have been easy for us to give up and throw the towel in. Not one guy did that. I think we take that adversity we went through this year. It's going to be huge for this group. A lot of the core guys will remember that feeling and this feeling now that we're having. Obviously, it's not guaranteed to make the playoffs every year, but we'll be back for sure.'
Montreal Gazette
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Canadiens ready to take ‘next step': Kaiden Guhle
By He's only 23 and about to enter his fourth season with the Canadiens, but Kaiden Guhle is quickly emerging as a leader in the dressing room and, more importantly, on the ice with his physical play. After reaching the playoffs for the first time in his NHL career, the defenceman believes the Canadiens are there to stay and that the painstaking rebuilding process is over. 'I think a lot of us are over the rebuild talk,' Guhle said during Friday's season-ending media availability. 'I think we're ready to go now. It was the first playoff appearance for a lot of us. It was a really good experience for a lot of us to get into these meaningful games. I think we're ready to take that next step for sure.' It wasn't the easiest of seasons for the Canadiens collectively and Guhle individually. He had an appendectomy in September and then lacerated the quadriceps muscle in his leg during a Jan. 28 game against Winnipeg. Surgery was required the next day and he returned one month later. The Canadiens' first-round (16th overall) draft choice in 2020 had six goals and 18 points in 55 games. As for the Canadiens, they rebounded after the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament to capture the Eastern Conference's final wild-card berth, making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. While Montreal fell to Washington in five games, the series was competitive. During the second period of Game 5, Guhle was part of a three-on-one break while the Canadiens were short-handed and trailing 2-0 in a game they lost, 4-1. 'Playoff hockey is hard,' Guhle said. 'It's tough. Mentally and physically, it's a grind. The bounces didn't go our way. Every play matters because it's so tight. If I score in that fifth game, who knows where we're at now? Every play matters even more in the playoffs. We know what it takes to get there. To stay there is tough. It was important to get there and experience it. I have no doubt that we'll be back. Everyone in this room is young and hungry. I have so much belief in this group. 'We were resilient all year and never gave up. There were a lot of tough days at the rink. Obviously, not every day was easy and fun. It seemed for a bit there were a lot of tough days in a row. It would have been easy for us to give up and throw the towel in. Not one guy did that. I think we take that adversity we went through this year. It's going to be huge for this group. A lot of the core guys will remember that feeling and this feeling now that we're having. Obviously, it's not guaranteed to make the playoffs every year, but we'll be back for sure.' Like Guhle, fellow defenceman Arber Xhekaj had his own struggles while trying to secure a permanent spot on the Canadiens' blue line. It always seemed like he and Jayden Struble were battling for the final spot. Nonetheless, Xhekaj, an undrafted free agent in 2021, dressed for 70 games, notching one goal and six points along with a minus-13 rating. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder also was a healthy scratch for the opening two games against the Capitals until head coach Martin St. Louis decided the Canadiens needed his physical presence against a bigger and heavier opponent. 'It was tough and it sucks not being in the lineup,' Xhekaj said. 'You want to be part of it. You see guys all banged up after the games. They're sad that we lost and you're not playing. There's not much I could say. It's hard to change the lineup when you're winning. It's understandable. There were guys who were playing really well. 'But I think I had a good season. I had a lot of good games and figured out how to play that defensive style, become a guy who could contribute to the team. I think things went well for me.' Xhekaj's challenge will be learning to walk the fine line between playing sound defence and deciding when to keep the opposition honest. Like Guhle, the 24-year-old is entering his fourth season. 'As I learn that defensive side and get really comfortable with it, I can start adding the big hits,' he said. 'I can line guys up better and know when the time's right. It goes with experience.'
Ottawa Citizen
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Canadiens hope to seize momentum in do-or-die Game 5 vs. Capitals
Article content 'Winning in the playoffs comes at a steeper price,' he added. 'The physicality. There's got to be some kind of courage, probably a little more involved. Collective courage in the playoffs. You don't get to live that without going through it. That's what we're doing.' Article content When defenceman Kaiden Guhle was playing junior in Prince Albert, his team had a 3-1 lead against Vancouver in the 2019 Western Hockey League final. While the Raiders won the title, they were stretched to overtime of the seventh game. Article content 'We definitely felt a bit of tension when we lost the fifth game,' Guhle said. 'You're so close, but you're still far. It's a different feeling for sure. We have to win one game, come back to Montreal, win another game and all of a sudden you're at Game 7. Article content Article content 'I'd say the team that's up has more pressure,' he added. 'Especially if we go there and take one (Wednesday). The tension will probably be a little bit higher in that room. For us, we have nothing to lose right now. Play like it's your last game of the year and see what happens. Three to one is a tough lead to keep.' Article content Article content Six players — Gallagher, Anderson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Jake Evans and Joel Armia — remain from Canadiens' run to the 2021 Stanley Cup final. Montreal overcame a 3-1 deficit against Toronto in the opening round that year. Article content 'We could have won every game (against Washington),' Guhle said. 'The past two games definitely have been our best of the series, looking at the full 60 minutes. It could be our last game of the season. Everybody knows that.' Article content Article content While forward Alex Newhook didn't join the Canadiens until a June 2023 trade, he won the Cup the previous season with Colorado. He knows as well as anyone how quickly momentum can switch in a game and series, and the emphasis is on Montreal to seize the opportunity. He said the Canadiens must play with desperation.
