Canadiens: Jayden Struble Could Force Habs To Change Blue Line Plans

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The Montreal Canadiens have a wealth of defence prospects marinating in their system, and pushing for bigger roles.

Another one is emerging onto the NHL scene as a solid two-way defender, whose edges and powerful stride keep him on top of his assignments. He can skate and outmuscle guys at the NHL level, after leaving no doubt in Laval or during his NCAA career that he will handle himself just fine physically against the best of the best.

With some offense to give, Struble has the traits, and vision to make plays and help support his wingers in all three zones.

While he can sometimes go over the edge and be a little too rambunctious, you accept it, because he can do things like Arber Xhekaj can. He isn’t at that heavyweight level, but he plays physically and loves to demolish opponents with a big hit. Never shying away from opponents, and discouraging them from crossing the blueline on his side.

He has some offence somewhere in there, although he hasn’t shown a ton of it quite yet. I feel like he will benefit from playing with more skilled players, and smart defenders who have experience at the NHL level to share. Struble is still learning and growing, so finding some comfort with a steady partner who can mentor him and grow with him will be huge for the Canadiens.

Kent Hughes knows the team needs some more offensive firepower, that can help the team put more pucks in the net.

Nov 29, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Struble’s Strong Play Could Spark Movement from Kent Hughes

Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach and Cole Caufield could use another pure goalscorer/offensive dynamo to help Caufield. And one way to acquire one is through trades, which is of particular interest to Hughes. The injuries to the blueline have proven that there are a lot of bodies once Jordan Harris and David Savard are healthy and ready to return.

It could be nearing the right time to put together a nice trade package, with some intriguing pieces. The three-goalie conundrum still hasn’t been solved, and one guy needs to be moved, it’s not fair to one getting fewer starts than the others. I would like to believe that Samuel Montembeault is the perfect age, he plays quite well and he has NHL experience.

Struble can slot into the bottom four comfortably right now but will be given more time to get comfortable. That leaves two vacant roles on the left side of the blue line, which Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson occupy. Unless Matheson is traded, it’s likely that Jordan Harris and our beloved Arber Xhekaj start to become guys who you could cash in on their value right now.

Defencemen Jayden Struble and Johnathan Kovacevic take matters into their own hands.

Kovacevic with a great snipe to put the #Habs on the board.

It's Struble's first NHL point. pic.twitter.com/XfyHKXNRIK
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 24, 2023

Xhekaj is a beauty, and Harris is stout defensively and a smart three-zone defenseman. Struble has the physical edge on Harris and he is the most powerful skater of the three. Striking while the pan is hot could be wise for Hughes to acquire draft capital or a top-six winger.

It wouldn’t be small, but maybe Montembeault, Xhekaj and a second or a prospect for a nice shiny winger who can put the puck in the net. Equally important is age, because you want the player to fit the rebuild. Maybe it’s through the draft, or maybe it’s getting a player now, and upgrading another position at the draft.

Regardless, the Habs will benefit from Struble making his way into the fold for the rebuilding Canadiens.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Jayden Struble reacts after being selected by the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Complexion Of The Canadiens’ Future Blueline Could Change

With Struble hypothetically fitting into the Canadiens’ top six deployed defenseman, the blueline will undergo a bit of a shake-up.

It may not affect very much at the moment, but when Xhekaj and Harris return, Hughes and Martin St. Louis will have decisions to make. Having considered that, I believe that a player or two could move around, but the Canadiens’ depth will serve them well. Struble can slot in alongside Logan Mailloux in the future forming a physical do-it-all pair, who project to be physical defenders, who have offensive touch, moreso Mailloux, but Struble has taken strides.

Pairing two appears to be one of the interesting ones with such talented players yet to arrive. But the Canadiens have a young pair developing together with some previous familiarity playing together. Justin Barron and Kaiden Guhle look primed to become a smart, quick and all-around solid defence pairing that could be the number pair or slot in behind the next duo that will be discussed.

David Reinbacher can slot into the number one right defence role, using his vision and smart defensive play to serve him well against the opponent’s best players every night. He can skate very well, and he has some room to beef up which will help him handle big, physical forwards who skate like the wind. Reinbacher should develop into the perfect defence partner to complement the Habs’ best prospect and most intriguing defender in the system.

Lane Hutson projects to be the top pairing, minute-munching defenseman who will run the top powerplay. But his effectiveness will go beyond special teams, because he creates something out of nothing, with his quick cuts and changes of pace. Much like Quinn Hughes, Hutson can just skate out of danger, and he processes the next pass before he evades a defender, which makes him a threat to produce offensive chances at any moment.

Struble finds himself amongst a group of great young defensemen, who will look to anchor the backend and support both the forwards and the goalie. The group will play an important role in the ascension of the Canadiens to Stanley Cup contenders. Physical, quick, talented and young will best describe the blue line, and that is why guys like Mike Matheson, David Savard, Gustav Lindstrom and Chris Wideman will be moved.

Pretty good first period here in Anaheim, particularly for Jayden Struble, who's playing his first NHL game. Doesn't appear out of place at all.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) November 23, 2023

The youth are the future of this team, and there will continue to be young players being pumped into the Laval Rocket system. Hughes and Jeff Gorton have gone to work adding talents to build up their American league system. With more to come, through the draft and up through the ranks, the older guys will be moved out methodically as the young defenders mature and gain experience.

Next. Predicting Habs Future Defense Pairings. dark

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