If you exclude Guhle’s first game back, in which the Canadiens curiously went with seven defensemen and 11 forwards, arguably being the primary reason for a decisive loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Habs are 6-1-1. The top-four defenseman has played just over 21 minutes per game on average, which ranks around his 21:10 season average and third on the team (above Carrier, who’s been a difference-maker in his own right).
Guhle’s only been a negative once since his return (excluding the Hurricanes loss), playing beside Lane Hutson. Together, they’ve effectively formed the team’s top pairing. So, technically, the Canadiens gained a top-pairing defenseman for the playoffs without having to give up anything in exchange. And, to be clear, most Canadiens fans had braced for an injury that extended into the offseason, not knowing its full extent.
So, Guhle’s return has really been gravy.
Oliver Kapanen
With Kirby Dach having prematurely ended his second straight season with another knee injury, the Canadiens arguably need a second-line pivot most of all. That’s not necessarily center Oliver Kapanen, but he does give them options, as he’s largely lined up opposite Patrik Laine (Alex Newhook in between) on what in theory is the team’s second line, since he joined the team after his Swedish Hockey League season ended.
Now, Kapanen has played just five games since rejoining the Canadiens, 17 overall (dating back to him having made the team out of training camp only to be loaned overseas) in which he’s recorded just two assists. So, he undeniably has room to grow offensively. However, as a 6-foot-2 center (194 pounds) who went in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is coming off a 35-point season (36 games) with Timra IK, Kapanen has potential.
Circumstances being what they are, with Emil Heineman, who had lined up alongside Laine and Newhook before, injured, the Canadiens have used Kapanen as a stop-gap instead of savior. So, it’s logical to conclude he’s likelier to drop down the lineup to the fourth line (replacing Michael Pezzetta) once the first opportunity comes along. Looking past the fact most teams would love to add a bottom-six forward with Kapanen’s upside, that opportunity is coming along immediately.
Ivan Demidov
That’s because top prospect Ivan Demidov, who was unexpectedly able to end his contract with SKA St. Petersburg early, signed an entry-level deal with the Canadiens last week. He could debut at any time, with the team’s next game, against the Chicago Blackhawks at home on Monday, April 14, reportedly being it.
Having gone fifth overall last summer, Demidov obviously represents a great offensive talent. As he led St. Petersburg in scoring with 49 points in 65 games despite a relative lack of ice time, the Canadiens are adding a top-six forward in principle (at the very least), whose debut, again, wasn’t even anticipated this season.
Demidov’s career trajectory is an admitted unknown. However, for context, he turned 19 in December. His 49 points set a new Kontinental Hockey League record for most points by an under-20 player, breaking the record set by Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov.
While it’s unreasonable to believe Demidov will hit the NHL ground running to the same extent as Kaprizov, who came over to North America at age 23, you’re nevertheless looking at a hugely talented offensive player whom the Canadiens see as a potential franchise one down the road. That means they’re going to put him in every position to succeed, because, having selected him where they did, they believe in him. That’s why Demidov represents a top-six forward for down the stretch at the very least, because he’ll logically be played as such, and, when you stop to think about it, how different is this from any other team acquiring a top-six forward at the deadline, without any guarantees they’ll pan out?
It’s better:
This is akin to the Canadiens winning the lottery … and, just so there’s no confusion, had the Habs won the NHL Draft Lottery, it’s slightly possible they would have selected him first overall instead of Macklin Celebrini. That’s simply the degree to which Hughes reportedly loves the player.
Whether Hughes knew Demidov was coming over this season or not, who cares? The roster is definitely in far better shape now than a month ago, further speaking to the success of his deadline. No, they’re not Stanley Cup contenders, but they were playoff contenders who are on the verge of getting the job done simply by reaching the postseason. For a young, rebuilding team with close-to-no expectations of making it, that’s enough (this season).
