The Nashville Predators added some edge to their blue line Friday, acquiring defenseman Jayden Struble from the Montreal Canadiens for a second-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.
- Struble joins Nashville after four seasons in the Canadiens organization.
- The 25-year-old defenseman has played three games this season, recording no points while averaging 12:05 per game, the lowest average ice time of his NHL career.
- He is in Year 2 of a two-year contract worth $2.825 million, carrying a $1.4125 million annual cap hit. The deal was signed July 28, 2025.
- Montreal selected Struble 46th overall in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
- In 174 NHL regular-season games, Struble has posted seven goals and 28 assists for 35 points.
- He has also appeared in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games without registering a point.
What Struble brings to Nashville
Predators president of hockey operations and general manager Chris MacFarland described Struble as a physical defender with the skating ability to make Nashville tougher to play against on the back end.
“Jayden Struble is a 25-year-old physical defender who will add mobility and a hard-to-play-against quality to our blue line,” MacFarland said. “We are excited to follow his development and see him grow with our group.”
The move gives Nashville a younger defense option under contract beyond this season. Struble arrives looking for a larger role after limited usage in Montreal, while the Canadiens bank a 2027 second-rounder for a player they originally drafted in the same round.
