The Nashville Predators have added a young defenseman to their blue line, landing Jayden Struble from the Montreal Canadiens in a swap that sends Vegas’ 2027 second-round pick back the other way.
Both teams announced the deal Friday. For Nashville, it marks the 10th trade by Chris MacFarland since he took over as GM of the Predators.
“Jayden Struble is a 25-year-old physical defender who will add mobility and a hard-to-play against quality that will help our backend,” MacFarland said. “We are excited to watch his growth and look forward to him being a player who can grow with us.”
Struble, a 6-foot, 207-pound left-shot defenseman, has appeared in three games for Montreal this season. He has averaged 12:05 of ice time while recording four hits and three blocked shots.
Last season, he reached a career high with 59 games played and finished with 12 points, including two goals and 10 assists. He also posted a +4 rating and delivered 115 hits, which ranked second on the Canadiens.
Over 174 career NHL games, all with Montreal, Struble has totaled 35 points and 167 penalty minutes. He was selected 46th overall in 2019 and spent four seasons at Northeastern before turning pro.
For Montreal, the move comes as the blue line picture has shifted. The return of Kaiden Guhle from injury and the play of Adam Engstrom made a decision on the back end a matter of time.
The Canadiens also add a 2027 second-round pick that Eric Engels noted could land near the top of the round. Struble will be a restricted free agent when his $1.412-million contract expires next summer, and the trade gives him a chance to play more regularly with a team that needs him.
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Adam Engstrom Just Gave Canadiens A Tough Blue Line Decision
Adam Engstroms season debut for Montreal came in a 5-2 loss to Nashville, but the rookie defenseman still gave the Canadiens something to think about on a night when their blue line was under the microscope. He skated just under 12 minutes and was not on the ice for any goals against, and his work helped steady a third pairing that had looked shakier in previous games.
Engstrom also stood out in a quieter way by leading Montreal defensemen in turnovers, though none of them turned into dangerous chances for the Predators. For a team trying to sort out its back end, that kind of performance makes the next lineup decision a little more interesting, especially if the Canadiens are looking for signs that a young defender can handle more responsibility. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Telling Blue Line Decision After Struble Trade
Montreals trade of Jayden Struble looks less like a simple subtraction and more like a sign of where the blue line is headed. The Canadiens still have six defensemen on the roster, but management clearly treated the move as strategic, with defensive reinforcements expected to follow rather than leaving the group thin for long.
The next step is what makes the situation worth watching. Kaiden Guhle is nearing a return, which could handle the open spot right away, while David Reinbacher remains the other major internal option if the club decides it needs a seventh defenseman. For a team trying to balance present needs with longer-term planning, the answer will say plenty about how the Canadiens see their depth chart right now. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Delicate Dylan Larkin Test At Bell Centre
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What makes this one stand out is the backdrop around his arrival, which has turned the Canadiens home date into more than just another test on the schedule. TVA Sports reporter Anthony Martineau noted the growing conversation around how Larkin might be received in Canada, and whether the atmosphere inside the building could end up mattering beyond one night at the rink. [Read more 🡒]