Story Summary
The Nashville Predators have acquired Jayden Struble from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Struble, 25, arrives during the second season of his two-year, $2.825 million contract, which carries a $1.4125 million average annual value. The defenceman had been in his fourth season with Montreal.
Predators president of hockey operations and general manager Chris MacFarland described Struble as a physical defender whose mobility and difficult-to-play-against qualities can help Nashville’s blue line. MacFarland said the club are looking forward to Struble’s continued growth.
Key Facts
- Jayden Struble was traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
- Struble is 25 and is in the second season of a two-year, $2.825 million contract with a $1.4125 million average annual value.
- In three games this season, Struble has no points and is averaging a career-low 12:05 of ice time per game.
- Montreal selected Struble in the second round, 46th overall, of the 2019 NHL Draft.
- He has 35 points, comprising seven goals and 28 assists, in 174 NHL regular-season games, plus no points in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
- Chris MacFarland said Struble’s physicality and mobility will help the Predators’ backend.
IHM Discussion
This is a move for a 25-year-old defenceman with meaningful NHL experience but room still to establish the next stage of his game. Struble’s recent usage in Montreal had fallen to 12:05 per game across three appearances, while his career record shows 174 regular-season games since being drafted in 2019.
Nashville have paid a 2027 second-round pick for a player already under contract beyond this season. MacFarland’s comments make the organisation’s view clear: they see value in Struble’s physical defending and mobility, and they are acquiring him with development still in mind rather than presenting him as a finished product.
Why It Matters
The trade gives Nashville a contracted NHL defenceman whose profile has been explicitly identified by the club: physical, mobile and hard to play against. For Struble, it brings a change of organisation after four seasons with Montreal and places fresh focus on how his game develops with the Predators.
IHM Development Outlook
Struble’s development is the central thread of the deal. His current season began with no points in three games and career-low average ice time, but Nashville’s management have publicly framed the acquisition around growth. The next phase is not about rewriting his existing record; it is about whether he can build on the experience already gained across 174 regular-season NHL games.
Mini Q&A
What did the Predators give up for Jayden Struble?
Nashville sent Montreal a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
How long is Struble under contract?
He is in the second season of a two-year, $2.825 million contract carrying a $1.4125 million average annual value.
What is Struble’s NHL record?
He has seven goals and 28 assists for 35 points in 174 regular-season games, and no points in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Coach Mark Comment
A mobile, physical defenceman can offer useful defensive options, but the important coaching task is to turn those traits into repeatable shifts. Struble’s NHL experience provides a base, while his reduced ice time in Montreal underlines why Nashville’s emphasis on growth is significant. The club will be looking for his physicality and skating to translate into dependable detail.
IHM Final View
Nashville have made a clear investment in Jayden Struble’s profile and potential development, surrendering a 2027 second-round pick for a 25-year-old defenceman on a manageable existing contract. The acquisition is confirmed; the longer-term question is how Struble develops within his new organisation.