Montreal's Guhle progresses, not rushed back to play

Kaiden Guhle participated in full practice for the first time since his injury in January. He hurt his quadricep muscle during a game against the Winnipeg Jets. After surgery, he was ruled out indefinitely, and his return to play is still uncertain. The Montreal Canadiens are cautious about Guhle's comeback. He is traveling with the team on a four-game trip through St. Louis, Philadelphia, Carolina, and Florida. However, general manager Kent Hughes emphasized that they do not want to rush him back into games. Hughes acknowledged that if the Canadiens’ playoff chances decline, they may reconsider Guhle’s return. He mentioned needing to ensure there is no "added risk" before letting Guhle play again. While Guhle has been healing well, there’s still a significant difference between being healed and being ready for game action. Team members are aware of the risks of returning too soon. Defenseman Mike Matheson noted that even after recovery, players must build strength to play consistently and avoid other injuries. The Canadiens are mindful of this, considering past experiences, like that of Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who returned too early from an injury and faced lasting issues. Guhle's first practice back after three weeks of healing was an important step. His teammates are excited about his progress, but the coaching staff signals that he is not yet ready for game play. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis stated they will take things day by day.