Canadiens Coach Martin St-Louis Finalizes Big Plan for His Blue Line
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Earlier this week, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble made an interesting revelation in an interview.
Few weeks ago the Canadiens announced the signing of 23-year-old defenseman Jayden Struble. And now he has opened up about Martin St-Louis' intriguing plans.
It's interesting for two reasons.
First, it shows just how special and unique Martin St-Louis is as a head coach.
He takes the time to call his players during his vacation, in the middle of summer, simply to try to motivate them even more! We love it.
Second, he has already revealed his intentions.
He already seems to have chosen his seven defensemen to start the 2025-2026 regular season.
Martin St-Louis contacted his 7 defensemen by phone
All the details are in the article by the excellent Nicolas Cloutier, but we learn there that St-Louis outright considers that he has the best group of 7 defensemen in the entire NHL.
These 7 defensemen are the following:
- Mike Matheson
- Lane Hutson
- Kaiden Guhle
- Noah Dobson
- Alexandre Carrier
- Jayden Struble
- Arber Xhekaj
- Lane Hutson
- Kaiden Guhle
- Noah Dobson
- Alexandre Carrier
- Jayden Struble
- Arber Xhekaj
Obviously, something completely unexpected could happen at camp, but for the moment, these are the 7 defensemen Martin St-Louis has targeted.
"This season will be very interesting.
But [I repeat myself], I would take our seven defensemen over those of any other team."
But [I repeat myself], I would take our seven defensemen over those of any other team."
And there you go!
The new defensive brigade of the CH excites you? Not as much as Martin St-Louis.
Pumped up, the coach led a blitz of calls to his players this summer, declaring that he would take his group of 7 defensemen over any other in the NHL
Pumped up, the coach led a blitz of calls to his players this summer, declaring that he would take his group of 7 defensemen over any other in the NHL
The plan therefore clearly seems to be to keep Struble and Xhekaj in Montreal and alternate them within the regular lineup, while young David Reinbacher will be able to continue developing with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 23|1794 ANSWERS Canadiens Coach Martin St-Louis Finalizes Big Plan for His Blue Line Which one will play the most games with the Montreal Canadiens this season, in your opinion? | ||
| David Reinbacher | 236 | 13.2 % |
| Arber Xhekaj | 1114 | 62.1 % |
| Jayden Struble | 444 | 24.7 % |
| List of polls | ||