The summer of important signings continues for the Montreal Canadiens.

On July 1, the Canadiens inked Juraj Slafkovsky — the first-overall pick in 2022 — to a massive eight-year, $60.8-million extension. Now, on the final day of the month, Montreal locked up another first-rounder and core piece of the team’s rebuild by signing defenceman Kaiden Guhle to a six-year extension worth $33.3 million.

The 21-year-old could have played out the final year of his entry-level deal — which expires at the end of this coming season — before negotiating a new contract, possibly driving up his value with a good showing in the process. Instead, the 16th-overall pick from 2020 opted to follow a larger trend in Montreal and get a long-term extension in place well ahead of ever becoming a restricted free agent.

“I believe in this group we have,” Guhle said when asked why he was eager to get this business done. “We’ve basically had this same group for two years now and from this off-season, it looks like there [won’t be] too many big changes and we’ll have a lot of the same guys coming in. I love the city, the city has been nothing but great to me. The fans have been unbelievable, definitely the best fans in the league, if not in sports. Just the city and the guys; I believe in this group so much. I think we’ll be able to make a big splash in the next year or two and really start to make a push for it.”

While Guhle surely sees good things ahead for the rebuilding Habs, it’s also fair to wonder how much some bad injury luck played into his decision to opt for the security nearly $35 million affords. The rangy blue-liner was limited to 44 games as an NHL rookie in 2022-23 thanks to a couple ailments and played 70 contests this past season during a sophomore campaign that included a concussion.

“Obviously there’s that piece to it,” Guhle acknowledged. “When you play a physical sport, injuries can happen. You want to get something done, but I wouldn’t say I got something done for that reason. I feel healthy right now, I’ve felt good all summer. Obviously you don’t want to get injured, but I don’t go into the season thinking I’m going to get injured or trying to prevent an injury. I just wanted to get the right thing done and the right deal done.”

By doing just that, Guhle becomes the latest member of Montreal’s young core to make a huge commitment to the team. Captain Nick Suzuki — about to have his 25th birthday on Aug. 10 — is inked through 2030; 23-year-old winger Cole Caufield is signed through 2031 and, as noted, the 20-year-old Slafkovsky just put his name on an eight-year extension that — like Guhle’s six-year pact — doesn’t even kick in until 2025-26.

Guhle said he’s very close friends with all three guys — and a bunch of other players on the young team, for that matter — and it’s no coincidence the lead horses are all in it for the long haul.

“We’re all pretty close in age, which is nice,” he said. “It wasn’t long ago [that] our captain was in the same position as me or ‘Slaf’ or some of the other young guys on our team. He’s there to help us out whenever we need it. Everyone is there for the right reasons and wants to win. No one is really worried about their cookies or getting points or accolades, they just want to win. We’re trying to get through the process and sometimes the process is tough, but no one thought I was going to be easy.

“I have so much belief in this group and when we came to an [agreement] I couldn’t have been happier with what happened and how long I’m going to be in Montreal for. It’s just exciting.”

You can bet — with so many key, young players attached to the team now — Habs fans feel the exact same way.

Canadiens sign Kaiden Guhle to six-year, $33.3M extension

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