Canadiens' Hughes Strikes Trade With Predators

A logjam formed on the left side of the Montreal Canadiens' blueline, and GM Kent Hughes decided it was time to act. Less than 24 hours after his team dropped two points to the Nashville Predators, Hughes sent Jayden Struble to the Predators in return for a second-round pick at the next draft. 

Struble was a healthy scratch for that game as the Habs elected to dress Adam Engstrom for the first time of the season. The young blueliner did well and it allowed to executive to finally answer the Struble or Arber Xhekaj dilemma that has been the talk of the town for three years now, even though it seems like we've been talking about it for longer than whether Ross and Rachel were on break. 

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During Thursday's game, former Habs prospect William Trudeau, another left-shot defenseman was forced to leave the game and was placed on IR today. He will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis. That left a hole in the Predators' defense and Montreal had a surplus, a match made in heaven. 

Struble is 25 years old and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the current season. In Nashville, he'll get an opportunity to play everyday rather then have to sit out like he did in Montreal. 

Meanwhile, the Canadiens' get a second-round pick for a defenseman they had picked with the 46th selection of the 2019 draft. Given the fact that he hasn't yet established himself as a regular in the NHL, this is a good deal for the Habs and it will allow Engstrom to see more action, at least until Kaiden Guhle's return.

The Canadiens could also call up David Reinbacher, although it is likely they prefer him to see plenty of action in Laval rather than sit on the press gallery in Montreal. For Xhekaj who wanted to stay in Montreal and now plays alongside his baby brother Florian, this is probably good news although bittersweet as Struble was a good friend of his. 

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