Canadiens Injury Report and Moves: Guhle, Newhook Out — Davidson Called Up

While the Montreal Canadiens remain in first place in the Atlantic Division, they’re facing a tough stretch of bad luck with injuries. Kaiden Guhle and Alex Newhook are both sidelined for an extended period, which means the team must shuffle pieces and rely on its depth to keep the winning going. For a team still trying to hang onto its success so early in the season, these injuries represent lost minutes, lost chemistry, and a chance to test the resilience of Montreal’s roster.

The Canadiens’ Guhle Underwent Surgery on Thursday

Kaiden Guhle underwent surgery on his adductor muscle on Thursday and will miss roughly 8–10 weeks. The partially torn muscle had been lingering since October 16 in Nashville. And, despite initial hopes, it failed to heal on its own. In his first five games this season, Guhle already showed the kind of grit that Canadiens fans love: a goal, an assist, five blocked shots, and 16 hits. Losing that defensive reliability and physical presence on the blue line is a serious blow, and the team will need others to step up in his absence.

Newhook Also Had Surgery on His Broken Ankle, Won’t Play Until March

Alex Newhook’s situation is equally concerning, though in a different way. The 24-year-old center sustained a lower-body injury during Thursday’s game against the Dallas Stars, and it was serious enough to require surgery — specifically to repair a fractured ankle. With an expected recovery timeline of four months, Newhook is likely out until at least mid-March. He had been having a promising season, with 12 points in 17 games, and was on pace to potentially surpass 40 points for the first time in his NHL career. The Canadiens will feel both the scoring gap and the void in their middle-six depth.

The Canadiens Call Up Jared Davidson from Laval

To fill the gaps left by Guhle and Newhook, the Canadiens have called up Jared Davidson from Laval. He hasn’t skated in an NHL game yet, but he’s been turning heads in the minors. His offense could add depth to the Canadiens' scoring. He’s put up nine goals, a couple of assists, and has shown plenty of physical play over 13 games. This call-up could be his chance to show he belongs at the next level, and the team will be watching closely to see if that minor-league spark can light up the NHL ice.

What’s Next for the Canadiens?

Now Montreal has to juggle a few things at once: keep the team competitive, weave in new faces, and hope there aren’t more bumps along the way. Losing Guhle and Newhook for the next few months is a blow. Still, it also gives the coaching staff a chance to see which depth players can step up. For fans, this is a stretch that will test patience.

That said, sometimes in hockey, the grit and pushback a team shows through tough stretches tell you more about them than the scoreboard ever could.