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Nashville's defensive unit has been a carousel of late, with 11 different blueliners seeing action through the first 13 games. This instability at the bottom of the rotation has opened the door for two newcomers: Jayden Struble and Daemon Hunt. Predators general manager has emphasized that both additions fit the team's timeline, describing Struble as a player with a strong identity and Hunt as an improving NHL talent with room to grow. The front office hopes that one or both can develop into key contributors.
Struble, who has been with the team for about three weeks, and Hunt, who joined less than a week ago, have already made their presence felt in a handful of games. Struble recently shared on Preds Radio (102.5 The Game) that he barely slept the night before his first game with Nashville, saying, "I was tossing and turning all night." While still with the Canadiens, he was scratched for Montreal's Oct. 8 game against the Predators, and the very next evening, he was traded to Nashville. On the morning of Oct. 10, Struble made a two-hour drive to join his new teammates for their morning skate in Ottawa. That same night, he debuted for the Predators, recording six hits and two blocks despite his restless state. "I don't know what I was expecting," Struble said of the transition. "Everyone on the team, especially the older guys, have been so welcoming. Getting traded is really hard, but I do feel really comfortable here now."
Since his debut, Struble has remained a steady presence. The 25-year-old Rhode Island native scored his first goal of the season in a loss to the Penguins—the eighth of his career—and the following day endeared himself to Smashville fans by winning his first fight in a Predators uniform during a home rout of the Avalanche. In nine games with Nashville, he has amassed 32 hits and 10 blocks, gradually becoming the tone-setter the team envisioned.
Hunt's journey to Nashville is more recent. He was waived by the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 23 after three seasons with the only NHL organization he had known. The Predators claimed him off waivers the next day while he was in Seattle. Hunt had to fly across the country alone, and he admitted, "There's a lot going on, a lot of emotion, leaving my old team behind. I was pretty nervous on the plane ride." His sample size with the Predators is even smaller than Struble's—just three games. His first appearance came in Nashville's recent victory over Colorado, where he played only nine minutes. However, he has been solid in the two games since, logging more ice time and recording two blocks in each. He also notched his first point of the season—and the eighth of his career—with an assist in a loss to the Islanders.
Key Analysis
Whether Struble or Hunt becomes a long-term fixture in the rotation remains to be seen, but the early returns are promising. Cohesion has been Nashville's biggest issue on the back end this season, and as the duo settles in, the hope is that improved results will follow.