The Montreal Canadiens defence is at a logjam heading into the 2024-25 season. With at least ten defencemen looking to make the roster, it’s hard to envision Kent Hughes not moving at least one defenceman this offseason. Johnathan Kovacevic was the first domino to fall as he was shipped to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round pick. But who else may find themselves on the move and who will crack the opening night roster on the backend?
Montreal Canadiens Outlook on Defence
Locks: Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, David Savard, Arber Xhekaj
Barring a shocking trade, there are four defencemen who are locks to make the team. Mike Matheson is coming off of a career-best season and is the team’s top d-man. David Savard has one year left on his deal so it’s hard to envision Hughes moving on from him at this juncture. Savard adds some much-needed veteran leadership to a very young defence corps. His value will also be much higher at the trade deadline, so odds are he will stick with the Canadiens at least through the start of the season.
Arber Xhekaj still needs to be re-signed this offseason but he received a qualifying offer and a deal will get done sooner rather than later. While a young defenceman needs to be moved it won’t be Xhekaj. Habs fans would be in an uproar if the fan favourite was moved and he provides much more value to the Canadiens than they would get in a trade for him. The final lock is Kaiden Guhle who looks to take a big step forward this season. He had some injury troubles last year but when healthy he is still much further along in his development than some of the defencemen that will be mentioned next.
Trade Bait: Jordan Harris, Jayden Struble, Justin Barron
The three defencemen who are most likely to be on the move are Jordan Harris, Justin Barron, and Jayden Struble. None of the trio will fetch much on their own but they could be included in a package for a bigger forward. Barron hasn’t lived up to expectations since being acquired for Arturri Lehkonen. He has offensive potential but is often unsure of himself and doesn’t possess much poise, especially in his own end. Harris is a much more well-rounded player. A great skater who moves the puck well. Harris’ issue is that he doesn’t possess a stand-out characteristic that the others do. Guys like Guhle and Struble do what Harris can but add more size and bite as well. This makes Harris the most expendable defenseman for the Canadiens.
Prospects Looking to Make the Team: Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux
Three young defensemen can legitimately push for a roster spot in October. These are Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, and David Reinbacher. Lane Hutson is the Canadiens best defensive prospect since P.K. Subban. Hutson is dynamic offensively and in his two games with the Canadiens he showed that he is more than NHL-ready. Mailloux also made his NHL debut and didn’t look out of place either. He had an outstanding AHL campaign this past season. A move on the backend should open up a spot for him on the team’s right side.
Former fifth overall pick, David Reinbacher didn’t share the same success of his peers last year. He struggled mightily on a poor Kloten roster in the Swiss League. However, once he came over to North America he looked much more sure of himself. Reinbacher would benefit from a full campaign in Laval before transitioning to the NHL.
Projected Pairings
Jordan Harris, Jayden Struble, Justin Barron
Lane Hutson is almost a lock to make the team unless he has a really poor showing at camp. Having David Savard there to insulate him will be great to let Hutson feel free to unleash his offence. Mailloux also should make the team unless a defenceman isn’t moved. However, another season in Laval would not harm his development. At least one, if not two, of Harris, Struble, and Barron should be moved this offseason. Whoever remains will likely rotate with Arber Xhekaj and Logan Mailloux throughout the season.
Whatever happens, the Montreal Canadiens defence is in a better position than it has been in at least a decade. This season will be a huge stepping stone for the young group and it will be interesting to see who will be a part of it.
Main Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
