Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Kaiden Guhle was spotted skating alone in Brossard. This is the first time he’s hit the ice since his most recent injury, a torn abductor muscle that required surgical intervention. He’s only expected to return in mid-January, therefore we shouldn’t get our hopes up, but it’s always good to see an injured player return to the ice, regardless of the recovery time frame.
Kaiden Guhle ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1ti2GqVNTv
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 17, 2025
The Habs have a pressing issue on the second line. Rookie Oliver Kapanen is among the best goalscorers on the team, and yet, his underlying numbers suggest he’s being outplayed on a nightly basis. It’s easy to suggest a change is needed, but the options to play alongside Ivan Demidov are limited, and goals are always difficult to come by. [Canadiens Analysis: Second Line Goals Versus Process]
Top prospect Michael Hage took part in Canada’s pre-tournament warm-up game versus Team Sweden, playing on the first line between Gavin McKenna and Brady Martin. The line scored twice for Canada in the 2-1 win, with Hage assisting on the game-winning goal in the third period.
Michael Misa is likely to take over the No.1 line centre duties for Canada, but it’s still quite interesting that the team gave Hage a look in that spot. I’d argue it bodes well for his ice time throughout the upcoming World Junior Championship tournament.
Hage –> McKenna –> Martin. #Canada pic.twitter.com/4O9GKvgrDa
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2025
The Canadiens held an optional practice on Wednesday morning, because they were busy in the afternoon spending time with sick children and hardworking nurses during their yearly hospital visit. (Photo Credit Pierre Bourgault / Club de hockey Canadien Inc.)
ICYMI: A few reports have linked former Hab Philip Danault to the Habs. He was once a very useful player for the Canadiens, but that ship has sailed. That ship has sailed, circumvented the world, and is now ready for some dry-dock action. Unless the Los Angeles Kings want to acquire another aging veteran with a rich contract, there’s not much value to be had in a potential trade. [Canadiens Rumours: Evaluating Danault Trade Interest]
Sportsnaut Network
Tom Fitzgerald is trying to improve via a New Jersey Devils trade, and it appears we now know what, or who, is stalling progress. Elliotte Friedman revealed that he believes Fitzgerald has had to deal with some deals falling through due to trade clauses in New Jersey. [New Jersey Devils]
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a dreadful 50 minutes Tuesday night, trailing the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0. The boos came raining down at Scotiabank Arena. Although the team didn’t respond to head coach Craig Berube calling them out leading up to the game, they certainly did respond to the fans’ vocal displeasure to finish the game. [Toronto Maple Leafs]
Perhaps the biggest cheer at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night came after the announcement that there was one minute remaining in what turned out to be a 3-0 loss by the New York Rangers to the Vancouver Canucks. [Forever Blueshirts]
