Canadiens place Kaiden Guhle, Kirby Dach on LTIR

These moves come a day after the Canadiens acquired center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings, and gives the team more spending room by allowing them to exceed the salary cap by an amount equalling Guhle’s and Dach’s combined cap hits.

Guhle has been out since mid-October with a lower-body injury. In just five games played this season, the Edmonton native has a goal and an assist while averaging just over 19 minutes of ice time. Last season, Guhle put up six goals and 12 assists in for 18 points in 55 games while averaging just over 21 minutes of ice time.

Selected 16th overall by Montreal from the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Guhle is in his fourth full season with the Canadiens.

Dach, meanwhile, has been out since mid-November with a fractured foot. In 15 games this season, he has five goals and two assists for seven points. Last season, the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native had 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 57 games.

Dach is also in his fourth full season with Montreal after he was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft for a first-round and third-round pick. Initially drafted third overall by Chicago from the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades in the 2019 Draft, Dach has yet to fulfill the promise of his draft status. His best season so far was his first with the Canadiens, in 2022-23, when he notched 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points in 58 games.

Montreal will finish up a four-game homestand Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins before traveling to Pittsburgh for the second half of a home and home on Sunday.