Kaiden Guhle's recovery has become an early concern for Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens before the season even begins.
New information shared Wednesday indicates Guhle underwent a procedure during the summer and still needs more time before his recovery is complete.
The update came through reporting from The Athletic's Arpon Basu, who cited a Canadiens team source speaking anonymously because that person wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the injury.
That detail changes the tone around Guhle's status. This isn't simply a player being eased through September after a long offseason.
The encouraging part is that the team source didn't describe a lengthy absence. If Guhle misses the beginning of the season, the expectation given was that it shouldn't extend beyond a few games.
“Guhle did have a procedure over the summer and will need some time to complete his recovery, said a team source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to publicly discuss the injury.”
“If he does miss the start of the season, the source said, it should not be more than a few games.”
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But Montreal still has an important question to answer before puck drop: when will Guhle actually be cleared for full NHL work?
Kaiden Guhle's recovery now hangs over Montreal
Guhle needing extra recovery time after a summer procedure is enough to put his availability under the microscope. Training camp is where defensive pairs are built and responsibilities start getting locked in.
For St-Louis, uncertainty on the blue line can quickly affect deployment. Missing even the opening stretch would force Montreal to adjust pairings before the regular-season rhythm has settled.
The biggest concern is the lack of a firm return date. The source offered a possible short absence if Guhle isn't ready, but the reporting still leaves his exact recovery timeline unresolved.
There's also a difference between being medically cleared and being ready for NHL game pace. Guhle will need practices, contact and enough work to get his timing back before taking on regular minutes.
That makes every update around him worth watching once camp gets underway. Montreal won't want to rush an important defenceman simply to have him available on opening night.
The Canadiens have received some reassurance that this isn't expected to become an extended absence. Still, a summer procedure followed by unfinished recovery in mid-September isn't the clean start Montreal would have wanted.
Until Guhle is fully cleared and back in regular work, St-Louis has a real lineup issue developing before the first meaningful puck is dropped.
Should the Canadiens keep Kaiden Guhle out until he is fully ready, even if it costs him the opening games?
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