The Montreal Canadiens have announced that two of their young players, Alex Newhook and Kaiden Guhle, have recently undergone surgeries that will sideline them for significant periods. Newhook will be out for around four months following a surgery on his fractured ankle, while Guhle is expected to miss eight to ten weeks due to an adductor muscle injury.
Injury Details
Newhook sustained his injury during a game against the Dallas Stars. In the second period, while chasing the puck, he was tripped and crashed feet-first into the boards. Immediate pain necessitated assistance from teammates to get him off the ice. The 24-year-old forward joined the Canadiens from the Colorado Avalanche prior to the 2023-24 season and has recorded 12 points, including six goals and six assists, in 17 games this season.
In a separate incident, Guhle suffered a partially torn adductor muscle and had surgery on Thursday in New York. The 23-year-old defenseman had previously been out since October 16 with a lower-body injury. Guhle has tallied two points and averaged over 19 minutes of ice time in his five appearances during the current season.
Team Impact
The Canadiens, who currently lead the Atlantic Division, face challenges with these key players out. To fill the gap left by Newhook, the team called up Jared Davidson from the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ American Hockey League affiliate.
- Newhook’s injury and expected recovery time: 4 months
- Guhle’s injury and expected recovery time: 8-10 weeks
- Newhook’s current season points: 12 (6 goals, 6 assists)
- Guhle’s current season points: 2
As they prepare for an upcoming match against their rivals, the Boston Bruins, at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens must adjust their strategies to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
