Powerful message from Kaiden Guhle and it is very clear
Kaiden Guhle signed, this morning, a 6-year, $33.3 million extension that ties him to the Canadiens until 2031.
It's an excellent signing for Kent Hughes, showcasing his genius. There are now four core players signed until 2030 or beyond at relatively low salaries.
Guhle and his agent initially sought an 8-year deal worth about $8 million, similar to Jake Sanderson's, but Hughes firmly refused.
That his contract is $2.5 million less than hoped demonstrates how much the defenseman wanted to stay with the team, which he clearly stated in the press conference.
- Kaiden Guhle
There is truly something special happening with the Canadiens. Players want to stay together to win together, not just for their wallets.
We see the difference with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where players want to hit the jackpot and consistently lose in the first round year after year because their general manager doesn't have the space to surround them properly.
Then, as the salary cap increases, players demand more, and the cycle continues. The Canadiens may not have players of the caliber of Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner, but is that really a winning formula?
The message from the organization is clear. There is a salary structure to adhere to, and Guhle has just signed the first long-term deal for defensemen, which will serve as a benchmark for others to follow, just as Nick Suzuki's deal did for the forwards.
| POLL | ||
Do you believe that Kaiden Guhle will remain the highest-paid defenseman on the Canadiens until the end of his contract in 2031? | ||
| Yes | 69 | 33.8 % |
| No | 135 | 66.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
