The Montreal Canadiens have been hit by several injuries, sidelining key players Alex Newhook, Kaiden Guhle, and Kirby Dach for extended periods. The team has recalled forwards Joshua Roy and Jared Davidson to bolster the lineup amid a recent slump. These developments come as the Canadiens prepare for a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Montreal Canadiens' strong start to the 2025-26 NHL season has been disrupted by a series of injuries. On Friday, the team announced that forward Alex Newhook underwent surgery for a fractured ankle and will miss four months, not returning until March. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who was initially expected to be out four to six weeks, will now miss eight to ten weeks following surgery for a torn abductor, pushing his return into early 2026. Adding to the woes, forward Kirby Dach suffered a fractured right foot in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins and will be sidelined for four to six weeks. Forward Patrik Laine is also currently out.
Newhook had been a standout early in the season, recording six goals and six assists in 17 games, ranking fifth in team scoring. He had formed a dynamic line with rookies Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, contributing to the team's secondary scoring. Guhle's absence impacts the defensive core, removing a reliable even-strength and penalty-killing presence. The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games, including a three-game losing streak where they were outscored 15-3.
To address the depth issues, the Canadiens recalled forward Joshua Roy from the Laval Rocket on Sunday. The 22-year-old has seven points (four goals, three assists) and a plus-4 rating in 10 AHL games this season. Roy previously appeared in one NHL game for Montreal on October 22 in Calgary. Forward Jared Davidson was also recalled earlier, providing bottom-six energy but not a direct replacement for Newhook's top-nine role.
General manager Kent Hughes may explore trade options or waiver claims for forward help, though patience is expected if the team remains competitive. On defense, players like Jayden Struble, Arber Xhekaj, and Lane Hutson will see increased roles. Veterans Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher must support the young roster, including Demidov and Kapanen, during this challenging stretch.
The Canadiens face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, at 7:30 p.m. ET. This period will test the team's depth and resilience as they aim to maintain their position in the standings.