The Montreal Canadiens got the sort of injury news fans did not want to hear. The club got updates on two of its regulars on Friday.
Let’s start with defenseman Kaiden Guhle. Guhle has been out since a mid-October game against the Nashville Predators with a lower-body injury. The initial timeline was a four-to-six-week window. The 23-year-old had played in just five games this year before going down.
That window, unfortunately, has now shifted significantly. The Canadiens announced that Guhle underwent surgery to repair a partially torn adductor muscle. The setback will keep Guhle on the shelf for another eight to ten weeks.
The Canadiens have managed to get by without Guhle. However, their blue line has been iffy at times. Coach Martin St. Louis has rolled with Arber Xhekaj far more than he’d like. So, getting Guhle back as soon as possible will be a priority for the team.
The Habs also announced that forward Alex Newhook will be gone for most of this season. The veteran center needed surgery to repair a broken ankle. He’ll be out for an estimated four months.
Newhook sustained the injury on this play:
While the play seemed bad enough, the outcome was even worse. Newhook had been anchoring the third line for the Canadiens this season. In his stead, Oliver Kapanen could draw into the third-line center role.
With injuries weighing heavily on the team, the club may look to find help elsewhere to solve its lineup needs.
Canadiens Recall Prospect amid Newhook Injury
With Alex Newhook hitting the shelf, the Canadiens recalled prospect Jared Davidson from the Laval Rocket on Friday.
Davidson was a fifth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old is in the final season of a two-year, $1.73 million contract.
Overall, Davidson has played well in the AHL. Last season, he notched 24 goals and 45 points in 69 games. This season, he’s off to an even better start, scoring nine goals and adding two assists for 11 points in 13 games.
According to Daily Faceoff, Davidson could slide into the third line on the left wing. He could line up alongside Kapanen and Ivan Demidov. That youthful line could deliver some interesting looks on Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
Habs May Look to Make Moves to Offset Injuries
The Canadiens have been on the prowl this season. The prevailing rumors posit the Habs looking to add another center to complement their depth. Newhook’s injury now pretty much forces the Canadiens to go after a player who could replace Newhook for the foreseeable future.
Once Newhook comes back, that player could remain on the roster to bolster the team’s depth. While several names have been thrown around this season, there hasn’t been one clear-cut deal on the horizon.
That could change in the coming days as the Canadiens are playing well. GM Kent Hughes will not allow the team’s playoff chances to slip away due to injury concerns. So, some moves could be forthcoming in Montreal.
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