Kaiden Guhle Wants To Change Summer Training For 2026

Kaiden Guhle wants to change his summer training regimen, and that decision comes after injuries late in the season opened the door for Arber Xhekaj to play more often. The Canadiens defenseman is trying to make next season healthier after another stretch in which his body shaped the lineup around him.

Allain Roy On TVA Sports

Allain Roy spoke about Guhle’s plan with Jean-Charles Lajoie on TVA Sports last night. The message was direct: Guhle wants a different offseason approach, and the goal is to come back in better shape for next season.

That is not a small adjustment for a player whose injuries have already forced the Canadiens to shuffle their blue line. Guhle has been injured before, and late-season problems opened minutes for Xhekaj at the same time the club was dealing with Noah Dobson’s injuries.

Xhekaj, Struble, and Dobson

Those absences pushed Jayden Struble and Xhekaj into the lineup more often than not in the same game. Xhekaj has been getting good ice time alongside his friend Struble, and that pairing has become part of the club’s short-term answer on defense.

Dobson will eventually return, which changes the picture again. Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher will also be pushing for ice time in the big league in 2026-2027, while Struble remains under the club’s control.

Guhle’s Summer Reset

For Guhle, the offseason plan is about more than recovery. He wants a summer program that leaves him healthier when camp opens, because his availability has already influenced who plays and how often on the Canadiens’ back end.

That leaves the most immediate pressure on Guhle himself. If he can stay available, the ripple effects reach Xhekaj, Struble, and the rest of a defense group that has already had to absorb injuries and adjust on the fly.