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Young Defenceman Re-Signed by the Montreal Canadiens

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Andrew Willis | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 9:09 AM ET

The Montreal Canadiens have extended one of their young players to an extension. Defenceman Jayden Struble has been signed to a two-year, one-way contract. The deal carries an average annual value of $1.4125 million, and avoids salary arbitration.

Pen to paper! The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a two-year, one-way contract with defenseman Jayden Struble.

News release ↓ #GoHabsGo | Montblanc Boutique Montréalhttps://t.co/fFnHbvDkoX

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 28, 2025

Habs Extend Struble

The Canadiens drafted Struble in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, Struble played in 56 games for the Habs, scoring two goals and adding 11 assists for 13 points. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Struble played in four of the five playoff games.

Youth Movement in Montreal

The Canadiens have been enjoying a youth movement in Montreal, one that led them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Lane Hutson won the Calder Trophy this past season, while Ivan Demidov made his NHL debut late in the season and played in the playoffs for the Habs.

The future is certainly bright in Montreal. Struble hopes to be part of it.

Struble’s Role

Struble is likely to play on the Habs third pair next season. His defensive partner, as of now is likely to be Arber Xhekaj.

Struble is a strong skater who does well at taking the puck from end of the ice to the other. Furthermore, Struble has experience on the power play. While he has not played on the power play with the Habs yet, Struble may certainly be an option down the road.

Extended Role?

Struble only averaged 14:57 of ice time last season. This was actually a decline from the 2023-24 season, where Struble averaged 16:07. Part of that can be attributed to the arrival of Hutson to the NHL as well as the Habs push for the playoffs.

Struble could be in store for some extended ice time this season. Should the time present itself, it will be a great opportunity for Struble to show what he can do at the NHL level.