Kaiden Guhle’s True Feelings About Signing 6-Year Deal With Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have been active in signing the rest of their restricted free agents in recent days. One player who received a new contract was Kaiden Guhle. The Canadiens gave Guhle a six-year contract extension that will start with the 2025-26 season.

Guhle finished the 2023-24 season second among Canadiens defensemen in blocked shots, while scoring six goals and 22 points while averaging about 21 minutes per game. The young Montreal reaguard explained part of his reasoning for re-signing with the Habs shortly after the deal became official.

“The city has been nothing but amazing to me. The fans are unbelievable and absolutely the best fans in the league, if not in the sport. I think it’s just the city and the guys, and I believe so much in this group and I think we can make a big impact here next year and really push for it,” Guhle said, via NHL.com.

Canadiens’ Kaiden Guhle believes in current group

The Canadiens missed the playoffs despite making some progress in the 2023-24 season. However, they are still a rebuilding team. Montreal has some promising prospects coming through their system. And the goal for now is to continue adding future assets and prospects that can help them win down the road.

Montreal hasn’t made many external moves this offseason. NHL free agency has been relatively quiet, and unlike last year, the Canadiens haven’t made a trade for a potential impact player. That said, Guhle is confident this team can make strides in the coming year.

“I believe in this group and the guys in the room, and I think the management does too. We’ve all been together, this will be my third year, and some of the guys have been together longer, and I think it’s exciting to see what we can do,” the Canadiens defenseman said, via NHL.com.

Montreal has finished at the bottom of the Atlantic Division for the last three seasons. They have also missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six of the last nine seasons. While one of their playoff appearances resulted in a Stanley Cup Final appearance, the Habs have been one-and-done in their other two playoff runs.

Kaiden Guhle could help Montreal return to the playoffs within the next few seasons. For now, though, the Canadiens are looking to put together a solid performance and climb out of the Atlantic Division cellar. The Canadiens open their 2024-25 season on Oct. 9 at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.