Following a freak injury that was expected to hold him out for the season, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle was seen practicing with the team this week. With the Canadiens currently in a playoff spot Guhle could return down the stretch or in time for playoffs. His return would be welcomed as he is the team’s best shutdown defenseman. However, if he does return, that means one defenseman will have to come out of the lineup. It won’t be rookie sensation Lane Hutson who already has 53 points on the year and has reinvented the Canadiens powerplay. Veterans Mike Matheson, and Alexandre Carrier also have their spots locked up. Carrier has helped shore up the defense since he arrived from Nashville via trade earlier this season. This leaves three options for head coach Martin St. Louis, David Savard, Jayden Struble, and Arber Xhekaj.
Montreal Canadiens Kaiden Guhle
David Savard is Not likely to Sit
While Savard’s footspeed isn’t up to par with what it once was, the odds are slim that he’s taken out of the lineup. He provides some much-needed veteran leadership for a young team in the playoffs. His shot-blocking ability is invaluable as well. Savard is also a big part of the team’s penalty kill which is currently ranked eighth in the NHL. The fact that he’s a right-handed defenseman also helps Savard’s case. Carrier is the only other right-shot defenseman on the roster. Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher are in the team’s system but aren’t ready to handle big minutes this year. With all this being said, it’s unlikely we’ll see Savard taken out of the lineup in favor of Kaiden Guhle.
Jayden Struble Has Elevated His Game
Struble seemed like the likely option to come out of the lineup. He was the seventh defenseman before Guhle went down with injury. He has filled in when needed playing 41 games on the year. Since Guhle’s injury, however, Struble has elevated his game, proving Kent Hughes right in keeping him over Jordan Harris and Justin Barron.
Struble has been moved to the right side and paired with Lane Hutson. The young duo may have been an unlikely pair, but Struble has proven to be a great partner for Hutson. He has adapted to playing the right side quickly and frees up Hutson to play his offensive game. Struble brings a lot of bite to his game and isn’t afraid to be physical or drop the gloves. His play down the stretch will make it hard to take him out of the lineup.
Arber Xhekaj Brings Value and Risk
Arber Xhekaj might be the most interesting player on the Habs blueline. His play has dropped off from what we saw out of him last season. This is especially true offensively as Xhekaj has only registered six points on the year. He still brings the same physical element we’ve come to expect from him. He continues to patrol the Canadiens blueline as one of the heavyweights in the NHL.
The issue with Xhekaj is his discipline. His physicality is a huge asset in the playoffs and he can shift momentum in a game. However, his lack of discipline oftentimes shifts momentum in the opposite direction. We saw this in the preseason where he took two major penalties that cost the team back-to-back contests. Xhekaj seems to find himself in the box far too often which could be a big risk in meaningful games. He brings a lot of risk and reward in his game and it’s something St. Louis will have to consider when making his final decision.
The Montreal Canadiens can be excited about the prospect of re-inserting Kaiden Guhle into the lineup. However, there will be some tough decisions on the team’s blueline moving forward.
Main Photo: David Kirouac- Imagn Images
The post Which Montreal Canadiens Defenseman Kaiden Guhle Will Replace Upon His Return appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.