The Montreal Canadiens' promising start to the season has been dealt a significant blow with the announcement that two key players, forward Alex Newhook and defenseman Kaiden Guhle, will be out long-term following surgical procedures.
The team confirmed that Alex Newhook underwent surgery on Friday at the Montreal General Hospital to repair a fractured ankle. The injury occurred during the second period of Thursday night's 7-0 loss to the Dallas Stars at the Bell Centre when Newhook was hooked by Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and crashed feet-first into the boards.
Recovery Timelines and Impact
The prognosis for Newhook is a four-month absence, a substantial loss for the Canadiens. At the time of his injury, Newhook was a productive member of the team, having recorded 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 17 games. He was playing on a line with rookies Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, forming one of the team's most effective offensive units.
Teammate Jake Evans highlighted the void Newhook leaves, stating, "Newhy brought a lot to the table. He brought a little bit of everything. Penalty-kill, faceoffs, speed. He was just playing really well." Evans added that while the situation is difficult, the team must move forward, saying, "That’s hockey. Guys got to step up, guys got to pick up what we’re going to miss from him."
Guhle's Separate Setback
The bad news for the Canadiens was twofold. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who has already missed the last 12 games, underwent surgery on Thursday in New York to repair a partially torn adductor muscle. The team announced his recovery timeline is set for another eight to 10 weeks.
Losing two core players for extended periods tests the team's depth. In response to Newhook's injury, the Canadiens have recalled forward Jared Davidson from the AHL's Laval Rocket. Davidson, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has been performing well in the AHL with 11 points in 13 games this season but has yet to make his NHL debut.
Canadiens' Position Amid Adversity
Despite these significant injuries and two consecutive heavy losses, the Canadiens remain in a strong position within the league. The team holds a 10-5-2 record and is still tied for first place in the Atlantic Division standings with the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins, though Montreal holds games in hand.
The team now faces the immediate challenge of regrouping for their next matchup against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre. How they navigate this period of adversity without two of their key contributors will be a critical test for their playoff aspirations.
