Montreal Canadiens first round pick Kaiden Guhle has signed with Habs.
On Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin announced that the team has signed the 18-year old defenseman Kaiden Guhle to a three-year, entry-level contract that will run from the 2020-21 season to the 2022-23 season.
Per the Montreal Canadiens press release, at the NHL level, the Kaiden Guhle signing will be valued at $832,500 with a signing bonus of $92,500 per season for a total $925 000 AAV per year. The deal also contains Performance “A” bonuses to a maximum of $420,000 in each season. At the AHL level, Guhle would be eligible to earn $80 000 annually.
In his draft year, the 18-year old Kaiden Guhle, recorded 40 points in 64 games with the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL. In the two prior seasons in the WHL, Guhle amassed a total of 18 points (3 goals, 15 assists) in 73 games played. Kaiden Guhle would also play a part in the Prince Albert Raiders WHL championship in the 2018-19 season. The defenseman recorded three assists in 23 games played.
Signing Kaiden Guhle to an entry-level contract is often standard protocol as CHL players drafted in the first round often earn their first contract in their first year while players who play for teams in the KHL and NCAA, unless they are a high pick, often take longer to sign. However, those familiar with entry-level contracts would know that this does not mean Kaiden Guhle will play with the Montreal Candiens this upcoming season. If anything, it is still possible that Guhle does partake in the Canadiens training camp.
When Kaiden Guhle does eventually make the jump to the NHL, he will possibly have the opportunity to play with defensemen Shea Weber and Jeff Petry if they are still with the organization. Developing defensemen often takes longer than forwards so it may be a while until Kaiden Guhle becomes a regular in the Montreal Canadiens lineup.