The opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs consistently delivers surprises and compelling narratives. Each spring showcases instances where seasoned teams aiming for a deep run face tough battles just to advance from Round 1, or where players acquired at the trade deadline to bolster a team find it difficult to make a significant impact with their new club.
As a former NHL scout, I`m always fascinated to observe how the league`s younger generation performs during the most challenging time of the year. Veterans are typically more predictable in their response to the increased physicality and heightened attention to detail required during this period. However, players new to the league or experiencing the playoffs for the first few times are still learning the path to victory.
In this year`s playoffs, several `young guns` have particularly caught my eye in the first round.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, for instance, has demonstrated his offensive capabilities while also showing areas for defensive improvement. Toronto Maple Leafs power forward Matthew Knies continues his development and has been utilized in every situation for Toronto in their series against the Ottawa Senators.
Today, I`ll focus on three other young players who have grabbed my attention for various reasons during the opening round.
Kaiden Guhle, Montreal Canadiens
Guhle missed time due to injury this season, and while the Canadiens successfully maximized their entire defense corps in his absence, his presence on the blue line is undeniably significant.
Guhle averages around 22 minutes of ice time per game. He`s a versatile two-way defenseman and an excellent skater who never shies away from physical confrontations. He`s consistently matched up against top-six forwards whenever he`s on the ice. Guhle contributed some secondary offense during the regular season (6 goals, 12 assists in 55 games), but it`s his meticulous defensive play that truly stands out.
Had he not missed so much time, he would have been among Montreal’s defensemen leaders in hits and shot blocks. He was credited with 104 hits and 124 blocks in the regular season, and this robust approach has continued into the playoffs against Washington. Guhle has recorded 12 shot blocks in the series.
I anticipate Guhle will continue to mature and establish himself as Montreal’s primary matchup defenseman. He is signed to an extension starting next season, carrying a $5.5 million cap hit for the Canadiens through the 2030-31 season. This contract should provide excellent value and age favorably, as Guhle will only be 29 when his current deal expires and he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
The Senators have been working towards becoming a playoff contender for several years, and now that they`ve reached this point, the team has presented a significant challenge for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. A key factor in their performance is the play of Sanderson.
Sanderson’s year-over-year defensive statistics saw a drop this season compared to last. He finished the regular season with a minus-14 rating versus a plus-8 last year, but this statistic is misleading considering the demanding minutes Sanderson faces every night for Ottawa. He averages over 24 minutes of ice time per game and is deployed in all situations, including facing top lines and power play units.
So far in the series against Toronto, Sanderson`s average ice time has increased to nearly 28 minutes per game. While the increase is partly due to three of the four games going into overtime, it also underscores his critical importance to Ottawa`s success. He leads the team with eight shot blocks and scored the overtime winning goal in Game 4. Sanderson is an elite skater who orchestrates the power play and actively engages in defensive battles.
Here are two straightforward examples illustrating the subtle details I`ve observed in Sanderson’s game during these playoffs:
In the first clip, he is quarterbacking the Senators` power play. Puck placement is crucial for an effective distributor on the man advantage. For a player to one-time a puck from the flank, they rely on the quarterback delivering the pass perfectly into their “wheelhouse.” In this instance, Sanderson places the puck perfectly for Tim Stutzle:
The second clip shows how Sanderson competes with his assigned player, Calle Jarnkrok, right in front of the Ottawa net in the final seconds of Game 4 with the score tied 3-3. There`s nothing spectacular about the sequence, but it demonstrates how simple the game can be when a defenseman is positioned correctly. This results in a routine shot block during a crucial moment of the game.
The Ottawa Senators are a team on the ascent, and a significant part of their future success depends on Sanderson`s performance. Sens fans should be excited about the fact that Sanderson is signed through 2032 with a contract that will hold its value. Securing a player of Sanderson’s caliber on a deal that carries an $8.05 million cap hit against a rising salary cap represents a significant win for the organization.
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
Compared to Guhle and Sanderson, Boldy is something of a playoff veteran, having already appeared in 12 playoff games with the Wild before the start of their series against Vegas.
Boldy’s overall game has significantly progressed. In the regular season, he led Minnesota with 27 goals and 73 points and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game. Nearly all of his ice time was at even strength and on the power play, as Boldy was only sparingly used on the penalty kill.
In this first-round series versus Vegas, he is being deployed in all situations and is averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game. The Wild`s coaching staff clearly trusts him more than they have previously, rewarding him with increased ice time in high-pressure situations.
In Boldy’s first 12 career playoff games before this series, he registered 1 goal and 3 assists with a minus-6 rating. So far against Vegas, he has contributed 4 goals and 2 assists and holds a plus-3 rating. Included in his increased average time on ice is his penalty-killing role, where he`s averaging 2:28 per game.
Here`s an example illustrating the improved overall defensive detail Boldy is providing the Wild in the playoffs:
In this clip, Boldy actively defends the crease area. When the play shifts to his check, he positions himself to block the shot. The puck ultimately goes to Kirill Kaprizov, who makes an incredible pass to Boldy as he explodes through the neutral zone.
Similar to Guhle and Sanderson, Boldy is signed long-term in Minnesota. His contract carries a $7 million cap hit and runs through the end of the 2029-30 season.
Given how his entire game is developing, extending beyond just the offensive skills he has already demonstrated, this contract is poised to offer a tremendous return on investment for the Wild.
Tristan Blackwood