Player Discussion Kaiden Guhle

[Deebs]

I think Guhle's performance will defy the expectation that defensemen are more prone to declines than improvements. HIs stint with the Oil Kings and subsequent play int he NHL reveal a player that is skilled in creating offensive opportunities and eating minutes. Guhle's statistics in Prince Albert were influenced by a system that stifled creativity and low-skill teammates unable to capitalize on his plays. His departure from that team to a higher skilled team really helped his talents shine at the end of his junior career.

While others have pointed out he has more 5 v. 5 points than Matheson, I thought I'd also throw out that this guy is in a pretty good cohort of minute-munching defensemen. Between 2017 and 2024 drafts, he's in the same ballpark per game as Sanderson, Power, Hughes, Seider and York. He plays 2-5 minutes less per game than Bouchard, Dobson, Hughes, Dahlin, Makar and Heiskanen (who are all older than him). That's a who's who of the best up and coming young defensemen in the NHL and a great peer group to be a part of.

I think his offensive game will become more obvious and productive in the next two seasons. He's scored at a ~30 points a season pace through his first 110 NHL games (how does this guy perform so well with so little experience?). I think there's clear upside there for a 40-50 point defenseman.

And another reason why I can't wait to see his name attached to a long term deal this summer.

 

[Mrb1p]

I think Guhle's performance will defy the expectation that defensemen are more prone to declines than improvements. HIs stint with the Oil Kings and subsequent play int he NHL reveal a player that is skilled in creating offensive opportunities and eating minutes. Guhle's statistics in Prince Albert were influenced by a system that stifled creativity and low-skill teammates unable to capitalize on his plays. His departure from that team to a higher skilled team really helped his talents shine at the end of his junior career.

While others have pointed out he has more 5 v. 5 points than Matheson, I thought I'd also throw out that this guy is in a pretty good cohort of minute-munching defensemen. Between 2017 and 2024 drafts, he's in the same ballpark per game as Sanderson, Power, Hughes, Seider and York. He plays 2-5 minutes less per game than Bouchard, Dobson, Hughes, Dahlin, Makar and Heiskanen (who are all older than him). That's a who's who of the best up and coming young defensemen in the NHL and a great peer group to be a part of.

I think his offensive game will become more obvious and productive in the next two seasons. He's scored at a ~30 points a season pace through his first 110 NHL games (how does this guy perform so well with so little experience?). I think there's clear upside there for a 40-50 point defenseman.

Im here for the Guhlove.

 

[Andrei79]

I think Guhle's performance will defy the expectation that defensemen are more prone to declines than improvements. HIs stint with the Oil Kings and subsequent play int he NHL reveal a player that is skilled in creating offensive opportunities and eating minutes. Guhle's statistics in Prince Albert were influenced by a system that stifled creativity and low-skill teammates unable to capitalize on his plays. His departure from that team to a higher skilled team really helped his talents shine at the end of his junior career.

While others have pointed out he has more 5 v. 5 points than Matheson, I thought I'd also throw out that this guy is in a pretty good cohort of minute-munching defensemen. Between 2017 and 2024 drafts, he's in the same ballpark per game as Sanderson, Power, Hughes, Seider and York. He plays 2-5 minutes less per game than Bouchard, Dobson, Hughes, Dahlin, Makar and Heiskanen (who are all older than him). That's a who's who of the best up and coming young defensemen in the NHL and a great peer group to be a part of.

I think his offensive game will become more obvious and productive in the next two seasons. He's scored at a ~30 points a season pace through his first 110 NHL games (how does this guy perform so well with so little experience?). I think there's clear upside there for a 40-50 point defenseman.

I think once he gains more strength and starts being physical like he was in juniors, more of these traits will appear. Right now, he gets beat physically, but if he's coming out on top of these board battles, then that also means he's making more breakout passes or skating out of his zone - more offense.

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

I hope to see in him one tough ferocious Ghoul in a couples of year when he will be more physicaly mature

 

[Hins77]

I think Guhle's performance will defy the expectation that defensemen are more prone to declines than improvements. HIs stint with the Oil Kings and subsequent play int he NHL reveal a player that is skilled in creating offensive opportunities and eating minutes. Guhle's statistics in Prince Albert were influenced by a system that stifled creativity and low-skill teammates unable to capitalize on his plays. His departure from that team to a higher skilled team really helped his talents shine at the end of his junior career.

While others have pointed out he has more 5 v. 5 points than Matheson, I thought I'd also throw out that this guy is in a pretty good cohort of minute-munching defensemen. Between 2017 and 2024 drafts, he's in the same ballpark per game as Sanderson, Power, Hughes, Seider and York. He plays 2-5 minutes less per game than Bouchard, Dobson, Hughes, Dahlin, Makar and Heiskanen (who are all older than him). That's a who's who of the best up and coming young defensemen in the NHL and a great peer group to be a part of.

I think his offensive game will become more obvious and productive in the next two seasons. He's scored at a ~30 points a season pace through his first 110 NHL games (how does this guy perform so well with so little experience?). I think there's clear upside there for a 40-50 point defenseman.

By your statement, we will say. Average 10 seasons of 40-50 points? This is 500 pts career. It’s in the mix of career of Ed Jovanovski, Brian Campbell and close from Andrei Markov. Good luck Kaiden. I really disagree with that kind of speculation. Roof hit a peak during a career, this is really optimistic. If Guhle get that kind of average of point, it will be much more productive than PK Subban. Lol

 

[badfish]

By your statement, we will say. Average 10 seasons of 40-50 points? This is 500 pts career. It’s in the mix of career of Ed Jovanovski, Brian Campbell and close from Andrei Markov. Good luck Kaiden. I really disagree with that kind of speculation. Roof hit a peak during a career, this is really optimistic. If Guhle get that kind of average of point, it will be much more productive than PK Subban. Lol

Lots to unpack here. I don't know if Guhle will reach 500 career points, but a few thoughts on your post are that I think Subban and Markov clearly have higher offensive abilities than Guhle. Jovocop got to 500 in part because of a very long career and having a 10-year long peak, which very few defensemen do. Interestingly, Jovocop had the same career PPG through his first 6 seasons as Guhle has now, and for most of his peak career was in that 40-50 point range I believe Guhle can achieve.

To think of it another way, do you think Guhle, at 22 years of age, in his second season, with only 111 games of pro experience has plateaued in terms of offensive potential? He's already producing at a 30 point per season clip over his full career so far. Is it that outlandish to think he can deliver somewhere between 10-20 more points as he hits the defenseman peak in mid 20s/after 200-300 games of experience? I don't think my take is that hot of a take at all.

 

[Hins77]

Jovanovski

Lots to unpack here. I don't know if Guhle will reach 500 career points, but a few thoughts on your post are that I think Subban and Markov clearly have higher offensive abilities than Guhle. Jovocop got to 500 in part because of a very long career and having a 10-year long peak, which very few defensemen do. Interestingly, Jovocop had the same career PPG through his first 6 seasons as Guhle has now, and for most of his peak career was in that 40-50 point range I believe Guhle can achieve.

To think of it another way, do you think Guhle, at 22 years of age, in his second season, with only 111 games of pro experience has plateaued in terms of offensive potential? He's already producing at a 30 point per season clip over his full career so far. Is it that outlandish to think he can deliver somewhere between 10-20 more points as he hits the defenseman peak in mid 20s/after 200-300 games of experience? I don't think my take is that hot of a take at all.

Jovanovski was a better point producer in the OHL at same age… personnally I see Guhle as 30-35 pts per season, maybe a couple over 40 on his prime, but thats all. This is not to discredit Guhle. To me, he is a 2nd or a strong 3rd dman on a contender.

 

[Miller Time]

Lots to unpack here. I don't know if Guhle will reach 500 career points, but a few thoughts on your post are that I think Subban and Markov clearly have higher offensive abilities than Guhle. Jovocop got to 500 in part because of a very long career and having a 10-year long peak, which very few defensemen do. Interestingly, Jovocop had the same career PPG through his first 6 seasons as Guhle has now, and for most of his peak career was in that 40-50 point range I believe Guhle can achieve.

To think of it another way, do you think Guhle, at 22 years of age, in his second season, with only 111 games of pro experience has plateaued in terms of offensive potential? He's already producing at a 30 point per season clip over his full career so far. Is it that outlandish to think he can deliver somewhere between 10-20 more points as he hits the defenseman peak in mid 20s/after 200-300 games of experience? I don't think my take is that hot of a take at all.

The Habs moving from bottom 5 g/gp team in the league to a top tier offensive team will make a massive difference in his career production outlook... I think we're heading there, and I think Guhle will be top 2-3 in dman minutes as we do... 30-40pts/season through his mid-20s & early 30s doesn't seem like a stretch at all imo

 

[Tyson]

Guhle is proving to be an amazing mid first round pick. Huge top pairing upside. I still want him to get a bit thicker and stronger though.

Nice to see him hit the 20 point plateau. He will become a 35 point Dman which is great.

 

[Hannibal]

I don’t know where his physical play went. Completely dissapeared from his junior days. It was one of his major attributes. Now, he’s more of a victim than anything else.

 

[rik schau]

He is clearly getting targeted ALL THE TIME this is where you wish you had a healthy Shea Weber or a Chris Chelios or a Pronger paired up with him.
Matheson isn't dissuading anyone and Savard has the ferocity of an oversized gummy bear.

He has to share some of the responsibility on that,as well as his coaches. He could get away being physical in Junior where he was at an advantage but in the NHL,he's is not the bigger of the bunch. He should have been told to curb his style until he was physically ready to be more combative,be more selective with whom he engages. If he can give it,he better be ready to be able to take it. I'm sure there are some that recall when changing levels or leagues that you have to adapt and gauge yourself and not bite off too much too soon.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I don’t know where his physical play went. Completely dissapeared from his junior days. It was one of his major attributes. Now, he’s more of a victim than anything else.

He's talked about it - if you miss your big hit in the NHL, then you are going to be giving up chances that could end up in the back of your net. He is still looking for the hits but not chasing them, then there's the comfortability aspect where he knows he's not as strong as he needs to be in the NHL to be inviting those collisions all the time.

It will come back, it will be part of his development.

 

[Rapala]

He has to share some of the responsibility on that,as well as his coaches. He could get away being physical in Junior where he was at an advantage but in the NHL,he's is not the bigger of the bunch. He should have been told to curb his style until he was physically ready to be more combative,be more selective with whom he engages. If he can give it,he better be ready to be able to take it. I'm sure there are some that recall when changing levels or leagues that you have to adapt and gauge yourself and not bite off too much too soon.

I said as much early this season but Guhle only knows how to play that way.
To be fair I'm not as concerned as I once was given the resiliency he's shown this season.
There are certainly a handful of times where he really didn't need to get into a pissing contest but he'll learn.
Part of becoming a vet is learning how to protect yourself with your stick and when not to expend energy uselessly.
He is looking far less fatigued this season overall and that too will only get better as he grows.
The players taking runs at him has more to do with his ability as a Dman not about how physical he is.
Coach says forecheck this guy take the body and finish your check the morons take it as run the player into the end of the rink.
We sure as heck don't see players trying to run Xhekaj.

 

[alasania94]

I see him like a Hanifin type

40-50 points, silky smooth, solid defensively - a solid # 2-3 on a contender.

 

[Mrb1p]

I don’t know where his physical play went. Completely dissapeared from his junior days. It was one of his major attributes. Now, he’s more of a victim than anything else.

Clown take again.

Hes first on the team in hits for Ds. He was 3rd last year in hits/60 behind AX and Edmundson.

 

[Hannibal]

Clown take again.

Hes first on the team in hits for Ds. He was 3rd last year in hits/60 behind AX and Edmundson.

Looks who’s talking about clown takes. The clown himself lol

He’s more like Josh Gorges out ther than anything else when it comes to the physixal play. Getting drilled hard 2-3 times each games with little-to-no response. He needs a bulk regime asap or he won’t have a long career.

 

[Mrb1p]

Looks who’s talking about clown takes. The clown himself lol

He’s more like Josh Gorges out ther than anything else when it comes to the physixal play. Getting drilled hard 2-3 times each games with little-to-no response. He needs a bulk regime asap or he won’t have a long career.

jesus thats ltierally an insane take. It is so bad. None of it is rooted in reality, its all emotion.

Probably worse than the people who claimed Suzuki wasn't a 1C at the start of the season.

 

[habdynasty]

Elite skating , great young d man.

 

[Hannibal]

[mod]

Guhle’s physical play was a force in junior, now has became a weakness in his game. He needs to bulk big time before getting injured again. The rest of his game is terrific.

 

[Mrb1p]

[mod]

Guhle’s physical play was a force in junior, now has became a weakness in his game. He needs to bulk big time before getting injured again. The rest of his game is terrific.

Hes gonna end the season with 150+ hits. Its just a ridiculous notion to call him soft and youre being ridiculous.

 

[Vachon23]

That discussion is childless…

No need to bring insult in civilized discussion

For the physical part of Guhle, I dit think it’s a matter of time before where gonna see it back in dominant way like in JNR. Need more experience and being stronger and more confident

 

[teamfirst]

He has to share some of the responsibility on that,as well as his coaches. He could get away being physical in Junior where he was at an advantage but in the NHL,he's is not the bigger of the bunch. He should have been told to curb his style until he was physically ready to be more combative,be more selective with whom he engages. If he can give it,he better be ready to be able to take it. I'm sure there are some that recall when changing levels or leagues that you have to adapt and gauge yourself and not bite off too much too soon.

Playing on his off side doesn't help either

 

[Sagikev]

Lots to unpack here. I don't know if Guhle will reach 500 career points, but a few thoughts on your post are that I think Subban and Markov clearly have higher offensive abilities than Guhle. Jovocop got to 500 in part because of a very long career and having a 10-year long peak, which very few defensemen do. Interestingly, Jovocop had the same career PPG through his first 6 seasons as Guhle has now, and for most of his peak career was in that 40-50 point range I believe Guhle can achieve.

To think of it another way, do you think Guhle, at 22 years of age, in his second season, with only 111 games of pro experience has plateaued in terms of offensive potential? He's already producing at a 30 point per season clip over his full career so far. Is it that outlandish to think he can deliver somewhere between 10-20 more points as he hits the defenseman peak in mid 20s/after 200-300 games of experience? I don't think my take is that hot of a take at all.

100%. Also with a better cast in front, we should be scoring more goals in the coming years and Guhle will be a part of that.

 

[Zilo44]

100%. Also with a better cast in front, we should be scoring more goals in the coming years and Guhle will be a part of that.

Guhle does not play on the PP. Put him
On the first wave and he would have 35 pts by now

 

[Zilo44]

Guhle is only 4 pts behind Matheson at even strength