The Montreal Canadiens have no intention of trading defenseman Kaiden Guhle despite confirmed interest from multiple NHL teams, according to insider Marco D’Amico. While other teams have inquired about the 23-year-old blueliner, Montreal has consistently rebuffed these overtures, viewing Guhle as a core piece of their future.
Montreal’s Defensive Commitments
The Canadiens recently secured Mike Matheson with a five-year, $30 million extension, carrying a $6 million annual cap hit through the 2030-31 season. Lane Hutson, who won the Calder Trophy as the 2024-25 NHL Rookie of the Year after recording 66 points in his debut season, signed an eight-year, $70.8 million extension starting in 2026-27.
These moves, combined with Guhle’s existing six-year, $33 million contract ($5.55 million AAV) signed in July 2024, have created a crowded left side on Montreal’s blue line.
Why Guhle Remains Untouchable
D’Amico reported that Western Conference teams have shown interest in Guhle over the last two offseasons, but their interest was immediately denied. Montreal values his unique combination of physicality, defensive awareness, and mobility — qualities no other Canadiens defenseman currently possesses in the same package.
The insider noted that if it wasn’t for Guhle’s yearly freak injury history, he’d be seen as one of the better bargains in the NHL. Guhle is currently recovering from surgery to repair a partially torn adductor muscle and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
League-Wide Interest
The 23-year-old defenseman is “universally appreciated” among NHL executives when healthy, making it unsurprising that teams continue to inquire about his availability. However, D’Amico emphasized that Montreal’s position is crystal clear: Guhle is not available and remains an important piece of their defensive core moving forward.
