Jayden Struble Not Quite Ready for Return to Canadiens Lineup

Despite comments suggesting that Jayden Struble is “ready to play,” the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Martin St-Louis, has decided against including him in the lineup for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Kings. St-Louis cited Struble’s absence from previous matches as a reason for maintaining the current defensive setup. “He missed time, and if he hadn’t, he might be in the lineup,” explained St-Louis.

Struble has been absent since a pre-season game on October 1st, missing the final pre-season match and the first four games of the regular season. As the Canadiens prepare for the game against the Kings at Centre Bell, St-Louis will rely on an unchanged defensive sextet.

One player St-Louis is closely monitoring is Arber Xhekaj, who has struggled with a minus-three rating over four games, despite limited playtime typically facing third and fourth lines. St-Louis had a discussion with Xhekaj on the ice after practice, emphasizing the need for continuous alertness throughout the game. “He plays well for a large part but sometimes loses focus,” St-Louis noted. “He needs to be alert for the full 60 minutes, which is challenging for a young defender.”

St-Louis also addressed Xhekaj’s footwork, acknowledging his strength in that area but pointing out that the focus shouldn’t solely be on the puck. “You could have the best feet, but if you are drawn to the puck with your eyes, it doesn’t help,” he said. Xhekaj’s lapse in concentration was evident in the recent match-winning goal by Kevin Hayes of the Penguins, where Hayes was left unmarked.

On a milestone note, David Savard will play his 800th NHL game on Thursday. His achievement was celebrated post-practice, with teammates, including Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach, sharing words of encouragement. “David does it all for us,” said Dach, highlighting Savard’s role as a mentor figure in the team.

The Canadiens also continue to monitor Rafaël Harvey-Pinard‘s recovery progress. Harvey-Pinard skated without full gear as he recovers from a summer leg fracture, aiming for a return by November. Last season, he registered 10 points across 45 games.

The current team practice lineup features forwards Caufield–Suzuki–Slafkovsky and Newhook-Dach-Armia, among others, with Matheson–Guhle, Hutson-Savard, and Xhekaj-Barron in defensive positions. Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau will manage goaltending duties.