Kaiden Guhle started turning some heads when he and the Montreal Canadiens training staff began ramping up his recovery over the past week. He was on the ice for optional practices and made the massive step of shedding the non-contact jersey for Monday morning's practice. The team departs this afternoon for a four-game road trip, which Guhle will reportedly join. Guhle's inclusion on the trip makes it almost a guarantee that he will return at some point this week. With the Canadiens playing some great hockey recently, who will come out of the lineup to make room for him?
Jayden Struble
It might not be fair considering the great work Jayden Struble has done for the Canadiens, but he seems like the most logical player to become a healthy scratch. It'd be hard to take the veteran leadership of some other players out of the lineup, and he was the odd-man out before Guhle's injury. If this was four months ago, the discussion would likely be between Struble and Arber Xhekaj, but Xhekaj has solidified his spot in the lineup.
#Habs head coach Martin St. Louis talking with Jayden Struble ahead of practice this morning in Brossard. pic.twitter.com/tU5n8BeaOz
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) March 24, 2025
Martin St. Louis and Struble had a lengthy conversation before practice on Monday. The alarm bells went off for people as they assumed the discussion had plenty to do with his spot in the lineup and Guhle's return. Once Guhle came on the ice for practice with the contact jersey on, the discussion topic was seemingly all but confirmed.
Is Struble the right choice? It's hard to say, considering there are some weaker links in the current lineup. The fans were rightfully perplexed that this could be the decision, but taking out a defenseman who means so much to the rest of the group isn't easy. Struble looks like the probable healthy scratch, but the fans have another opinion.
David Savard
The demise of David Savard might be a bit overblown in my opinion. The public narrative surrounding him is that he should be the odd-man out when Guhle returns, but his veteran leadership is good for a relatively young blue line. The tide changed on him quickly after a tough game against the Colorado Avalanche last time out, but it's much too quick to write him off.
It isn't easy for a slower defensive defenseman to play against a team like the Avalanche. Sure, St. Louis can maybe pick his spots better for Savard's utilization, but he's still a valuable piece in the lineup. Everyone has a bad game or a bad stretch, so sending Savard to the press box might be premature.
Could St. Louis give Savard a couple of nights off to save his legs during the stretch run? It wouldn't be the worst idea to keep him and Struble fresh but also active in the lineup.