Arber Xhekaj, Michael Pezzetta and Jayden Struble are preparing to defend the Habs at training camp

The Montreal Canadiens are looking to continue improving in all areas, but one that stands out is their toughness.

Naturally the team is going to get tougher mentally as they battle through this historic rebuild, with high hopes for the future. But physically, this isn't a team that isn't going to be pushed around, despite having plenty of skilled players, who don't engage in the fisticuffs. However, they do have a duo, that might turn into a trio of guys who will go to battle for their brothers.

Arber Xhekaj unsurprisingly is on that list, and he is a guy that will very likely shed his mitts this season. Michael Pezzetta is another guy, who isn't one of the heavyweights, but he still fights if the team needs him, too. But Jayden Struble, while edgy and certainly strong like an ox, isn't much of a fighter, or so we thought.

Struble appeared keen on learning the ropes from his two willing combattant teammates. While it isn't expected of him to fight, the fact that he is engaged in sharpening his skills is rather exciting. Fighting isn't a staple in hockey like it once was, but it still serves its purpose.

Safe to say that Xhekaj and Pezzetta see the importance of having some players on the Habs that are physically punishing to play against. But also guys that won't stand idle while the other team takes liberties with their teammates. It doesn't seem like much, just some friendly wrestling at practice, but this team just looks like they mean business.

Tough, young and ready to make some noise

This roster is quite young and that is precisely what Habs management did their best to make sure of. With the core formed, and some young talent vying for spots with the big club over the next couple of seasons, some sandpaper in the lineup is going to do plenty of good. Sure, talent is important, without it, not much is going to happen, but having insulation to protect the talent is going to be crucial.

Over the next few years expectations for the playoffs are going to increase and as we all know, postseason hockey is where things get very chippy. Of course, there will be plenty of physicality, but with the Canadiens able to keep pace and make their opponents aware of their bruisers, it should be welcomed and not feared. Xhekaj might be a guy that should not be taken lightly and I expect that Pezzetta will come into his own also.

As for Struble, he is built like a tank, so I think fighting will come naturally to him, so with some fighting advice, he should become a welcomed addition to the enforcer group for the Habs.