The Montreal Canadiens have signed talented defenseman Jayden Struble to a two-year, one-way deal for $2.825 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.4125 million.  The contract, which continues through the 2026-27 season, comes ahead of an upcoming arbitration hearing and secures a growing element of Montreal’s blue line core.

Contract Details & Context

Term: 2 years, covering 2025–26 and 2026–27 NHL seasons

Salary: $2.825M total ($1.4125M AAV) — a substantial raise over his entry-level contract (~$867,500 annual cap hit) 

Type: One-way contract, guaranteeing NHL salary regardless of assignments between NHL and AHL rosters 

By avoiding arbitration, both parties gained flexibility and certainty: the team maintains depth on the right side, while Struble secures his earning potential and NHL opportunities.

Player Profile & Recent Performance

Second Year Breakout Season

In 2024-25, he appeared in 56 games, scoring two goals and eleven assists for 13 points—a modest but considerable increase over his rookie totals.

Averaged nearly 15 minutes of ice time per game, frequently playing alongside rising star Lane Hutson on the second pairing.

Physical Edge & Grit

With 124 hits, he tied for fifth place on the squad and was regarded as one of the team’s most aggressive defenders.

Considered a player that consistently offers energy and competition to every shift, he is ranked +2 for the season. 

NHL Experience & Upside

Made his NHL debut during the 2023-24 season, and he has played 112 NHL games in two years, scoring 23 points and accumulating over 100 penalty minutes.

Known for his straight-line aggressiveness, defensive consistency, and ability to consume minutes in the bottom pair.

Where He Fits in the Canadiens’ Plans

Montreal’s defense corps has strengthened with the recent signing of top-pairing defender Noah Dobson.  However, depth remains crucial – and Struble provides it:

Provides the ability to play on either side of the ice if injuries occur.

Serves as a solid bottom-pair option when paired with rookies or call-ups.

Works well with coach Martin St. Louis’s system, which emphasizes structure, intensity, and simple execution. 

At 23, he fits into the Canadiens’ plan of balancing young development (e.g., Lane Hutson, Slafkovsky) with the required physical presence.

Why the Canadiens Made the Move

Stability & Cost-Control

By signing a one-way deal, Montreal increases roster flexibility while still protecting internal cap space.  A controlled salary of less than $1.5 million falls well below the salary cap, giving the club more flexibility. 

Rewarding Development

Struble has progressed, taking on greater responsibility.  The new contract recognizes this and expresses trust in his continuing development as a support piece. 

Preserving Depth Ahead of Deadline

With the playoffs missed last season, the Canadiens avoided trading players like Parham and Harvey-Pinard at the deadline.  By keeping Struble, they maintain a respectable NHL defender in-house while perhaps allocating money elsewhere, such as signing a second-line center.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Struble

2025–26 Role Forecast

Likely to skate in the third or fourth pairing.

Expected to play 12-16 minutes each game while stepping in for minor injuries or matchup-based deployments.

May continue to play with veterans or with other emerging defenses.

Long-Term Opportunity.

If he impresses, Montreal might extend him beyond 2027 or utilize him in a trade deal due to his cap burden and dependability.

He is currently a restricted free agent once his contract ends in the summer of 2027.

Final Thoughts

Jayden Struble’s deal solidifies his place as a reliable depth defenceman for the Canadiens.  His physicality, consistent execution, and improved offensive performance make this a low-cost, high-return investment.  For Struble, the agreement provides long-awaited arbitration finality and financial certainty.  For Montreal, it offers dependability and stability as the team prepares for another season of trying to find a more stable playoff position.

As the Canadiens rebuild, players like Struble symbolize the foundation: hardworking, adaptable, and capable of anchoring a young defense core.  This appears to be one of those quiet contract renewals that may be more important than initially thought.