Let's calm down with Kaiden Guhle
First of all, Mathias Brunet is absolutely right to be excited about Kaiden Guhle, the 16th overall pick in the 2020 draft. It's totally true that the 6-foot-3 left-handed defenseman hardly makes any mistakes when he's on the ice. At 19 years old, he is very mature, very mobile and the simplicity of his game makes him very effective. All of this is true, but at 19, Costa Rontzocos believes it would be a mistake to rush things in his case.
According to him, Guhle, who has not played much hockey in the last year because of this global pandemic, needs to play more hockey before joining the Montreal Canadiens.
"Guhle should spend a year with Prince Albert and a year in Laval before the Canadiens even think about giving him a chance. Not because he's far from ready, but because he shouldn't be pushed around. Unlike many, I think he will have an important role with the Habs if he is well developed!" said Rontzocos.
In addition to all these qualities, he remains a natural leader who could one day wear the "C" with the Habs. Add to that the fact that his leadership will be welcome with Canada's Under-20 team this December. With this team last winter, he greatly impressed André Tourigny, who was very complimentary of this high level prospect of the Canadiens.
"He's a guy focused on the job, he's focused, he's got one speed, it's down low... he's mean, you always have to have your head up when you play against him. With him, there are no prisoners, kill em all!" said Tourigny.
All in all, I have blind faith in Dominique Ducharme and his group, so if they decide that Guhle is fit to make the team this year, I will be fully comfortable with that fact. But it would be very surprising if such a situation were to occur!
