Full Breakdown
Jayden Struble Traded to Nashville Predators for 2027 Second-Round Pick
By Drooid · · How we work
Trade Details
The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that defenseman Jayden Struble has been dealt to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft. The pick originated with the Vegas Golden Knights and was previously used by Nashville in the 2025 trade that sent forward Colton Sissons to Vegas. The transaction follows a 5-2 loss by Montreal to Nashville the night before, in which Struble was a healthy scratch.
Background & Context
Entering the 2026-27 season, Montreal faced a logjam on the blue line. Left-shot defensemen Arber Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, and the recently drafted David Reinbacher were competing for limited roster spots, while Kaiden Guhle was expected to return soon after offseason adductor-muscle surgery. General manager Kent Hughes had previously indicated a need to create space for Guhle and other emerging players. Struble, a 25-year-old left-shot selected 46th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, had seen his ice time dip to a career-low 12:05 minutes per game in the opening three contests.
Data & Statistics
- Games with Montreal: 174 regular-season contests over four seasons.
- Career totals: 7 goals, 35 points (28 assists), +3 plus-minus, 167 penalty minutes, 364 hits.
- 2026-27 season (Montreal): 3 games, 0 points, 12:05 average ice time, 4 hits, 3 blocked shots.
- Contract: entering the second year of a two-year, $2.825 million deal signed on July 28 2025 (average annual value $1.4125 million). He will be a restricted free agent after the 2026-27 season.
- Draft pick received: a 2027 second-round selection originally owned by Vegas.
Official Statements & Responses
Montreal’s press release framed the move as a means to “clear defensive depth” and acquire an additional future asset, noting that the trade opens a roster spot for the anticipated return of Guhle.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Chris MacFarland, general manager
- “Rearguards Jayden Struble, Arber Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom are considered players of interest to teams looking to bolster their blueline, according to two separate sources across the NHL.” — David Pagnotta, as reported by Daily Faceoff
- “There’s interest from other teams in Zach Whitecloud. I know Montreal had some interest last season,” — David Pagnotta, as reported by Daily Faceoff
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the provenance of the second-round pick. Both characterizations are accurate but emphasize different steps in the pick’s chain of custody. No source provides details on whether Nashville will retain the pick or consider further moves involving it.
What’s Next
Struble will report to Nashville’s training camp and compete for a role on the Predators’ third defensive pairing. Montreal, now with six healthy defensemen, expects to integrate Kaiden Guhle once his rehabilitation is complete, restoring the roster to seven defensemen. The Canadiens retain the 2027 second-round pick as a flexible asset for future trades or draft positioning.