Who Will Kaiden Guhle Replace on the Canadiens’ Blue Line?

With Kaiden Guhle set to return soon, the Montreal Canadiens are set to getting a massive lift for their playoff push. His addition could make a big difference in solidifying their defense, but it raises the question: who’s going to be the one to make way for him in the lineup? During Guhle’s absence, the Canadiens have gone 9-7-4, and while they haven’t been perfect, their defensive pairs have remained surprisingly solid. Still, Guhle’s skill and physical presence on the blue line could provide the added edge they need as they make a final push for the postseason.

The Safe Ones

Let’s be honest, Lane Hutson won’t be in the press box when Guhle will be back. Same goes for both veterans Mike Matheson and Alexandre Carrier. Those three have been important pieces for this blue line and are pretty much safe from being removed from the lineup. Matheson and Carrier have been Montreal’s second pair these last few weeks and the most reliable duo for Montreal these last few games. I don’t think we need to explain why Hutson won’t be the victim of Guhle’s return as his 54 points in 70 games speak for itself.

Jayden Struble

The easy solution for head coach Martin St. Louis is to sit Jayden Struble in the stands when Guhle comes back. Struble was the odd man out when the team was fully healthy and sitting him again looks like an easy option. David Savard is a veteran presence and is seventh in blocked shots in the NHL this season with 162 blocked shots. On the other hand, Arber Xhekaj brings physicality and is a fan favorite in Montreal.

The thing is, Struble hasn’t made this decision an easy one. The American defenseman is playing some of the best hockey of his young career and has certainly taken advantage of the opportunity to play with Hutson. Since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Struble has recorded six points in fourteen games and is an impressive plus-11 during that stretch. His stellar play has made it a tough decision for the Canadiens with only a few games to play and deep inside a playoff run.

David Savard

It will be tough to take Savard out of the lineup. The 34-year-old defenseman has been an important member of the penalty kill and has been a steady shot blocker. The veteran may not always grab the spotlight, but his leadership and consistency have been invaluable to the Habs, especially as they push for a playoff spot. Savard brings a wealth of experience, having played in countless high-stakes games, and his ability to log heavy minutes in all situations has made him an important member of that Montreal blue line.

We need to mention that Savard could maybe use a break as he only played 12:19 against the Colorado Avalanche and is certainly the slowest member of this defense. Maybe a break could be a good thing for him. The things is, Savard is a right shot and it seems more likely that Struble or Xhekaj, who shoot left, are removed from the lineup before Savard.

Arber Xhekaj

This might be the more logical move, but also the one that will bring the most reaction from the fans and media. Xhekaj has played the least for Montreal in the last five games, averaging a bit more than 13 minutes of ice-time during that stretch. He does not play on the penalty kill or the power play and has only played 11:35 against the Avalanche.

Xhekaj brings something different on that blue line: physicality. It may look like nothing, but in the hunt for that last playoff spot, this aspect of the game is not to be neglected. A big hit or even a fight can change the momentum of a game and bring additional energy to a squad. That’s the Xhekaj effect.