Report: Predators Eyeing Three Canadiens Defensemen
Jeff Marek reported on the DFO Insider podcast that the Nashville Predators have shown interest in three Montreal defensemen: Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and Adam Engstrom.
Nashville Is Looking Anyway
The Predators currently have nine defensemen on their active roster, a number that would normally suggest a team with no real need.
Marek's reporting suggests otherwise, saying Nashville is a club that isn't particularly satisfied with the group it already has, even with the depth on paper.
With Kaiden Guhle currently sidelined, the Canadiens still have a surplus of left-shot defensemen once everyone is healthy.
Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson hold guaranteed spots in Montreal's lineup, which leaves Xhekaj, Struble, and Engstrom all fighting each other for the remaining ice time behind them.
Florian Xhekaj today when asked if he’ll still share a place with his brother Arber:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 28, 2026
“Yeah we’ll live together for sure. It’ll be cheaper on rent. We have a nice spot, we’re happy to live together. We’re only taking one car to the rink now, so it saves some money on gas.” pic.twitter.com/C9FmkbPNdI
Xhekaj's situation in particular has been building toward this for months.
He chose not to file for arbitration as a restricted free agent, a decision that left him eligible for offer sheets and indicated he may be open to finding more playing time elsewhere if Montreal can't offer it.
It was reported throughout the summer that teams, including the Calgary Flames before this year's trade deadline, had already called Montreal GM Kent Hughes about Xhekaj.
Montreal hasn't shown any urgency to actually move him despite all the calls.
Pagnotta reported as recently as this summer that the Canadiens continue to value Xhekaj internally even with outside interest mounting, and that any team hoping to land him should expect Montreal's asking price to stay high regardless of how many teams are calling.
Jayden Struble ouvre la marque pour les Rouges!
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 24, 2026
Jayden Struble opens the scoring for Team Red!#GoHabsGo | 🔴 1-0 ⚪ pic.twitter.com/Vju8OtJWz4
Struble and Engstrom carry less individual trade buzz than Xhekaj has generated on his own, but both fit the same basic profile: young, NHL-capable defensemen stuck behind a deeper group with no obvious path to regular minutes in Montreal this season.
Pagnotta noted separately that other teams beyond Nashville have also shown interest in Montreal's defensive depth, meaning the Predators are one suitor among several rather than the only team circling.
For now, this is interest on Nashville's end rather than a deal in progress.
