Montreal Canadiens: The 2020 NHL Draft Was Kind To The Habs

Kaiden Guhle & Justin Barron

First up are a pair of defensemen, one acquired with the Canadiens first round selection, and another via trade. Both are likely to be a huge part of the Canadiens blueline going forward. They also had ample NHL minutes during the 2022-23 season, due to the injuries that decimated the Habs lineup.

Justin Barron and Kaiden Guhle are two important pieces to the Canadiens’ young defence corps. Both just 22 years old, they took a big step in the right direction for their development, earning plenty of ice time against the premier talent of the NHL. Two very different defensemen, but both have the ability to impact the game in a very positive way.

While they haven’t played together on a defensive pairing in the NHL, they sort of present the ying to the yan. The pair balance each other out nicely, and they did play together in the 2021 World Junior’s tournament for Canada. So the potential for it in future isn’t out of the question.

Barron is more offensive-minded and enjoys joining the forwards, as a fourth forward during breakouts, and his heavy, accurate shot and playmaking skills make him a dual-threat defender. He is prone to defensive miscues, but he will continue working through those issues with Adam Nicholas, in becoming a more well-rounded defender. His skating and physical traits are drivers of his game, and he has the reach to disrupt opposing forwards, which will aid him when defending the rush.

Guhle is sound defensively, and very rarely does he get caught out of position. Like Barron, Guhle has an NHL frame and he uses it more than his fellow 2020 draftee, to devastate opponents with bone-crushing body checks. His high hockey IQ translates through all three zones, whether it be a smart stick, skating his way out of trouble or making smart plays in the attacking zone. He also has a great shot, which he could stand to use more, which would only raise his offensive potential.