Arber Xhakej's agent confirms what we all thought would happen with the Canadiens organization

Arber Xhekaj's future under Martin St-Louis isn't pointing toward an exit from Montreal, according to his agent.

Brian Bartlett has pushed back against the trade noise surrounding the unsigned restricted free agent. His message matched what many Canadiens fans expected: Xhekaj wants to stay, and both sides still have time to find common ground.

“He loves playing there, he loves the fans, the city, the coaching staff,” Bartlett said while discussing his client's situation.

That statement matters because Xhekaj's name has remained active in NHL trade chatter. Other clubs may see an opportunity, but interest from outside Montreal doesn't mean Kent Hughes is shopping the defenceman.

Xhekaj is still without a contract for next season. That uncertainty created room for speculation, especially with competition growing on the Canadiens' blue line and St-Louis making difficult deployment decisions.

But Bartlett didn't sound like an agent preparing his client for a change of address. He sounded like someone expecting negotiations to continue.

Arber Xhekaj still wants Montreal

“Our hope is to find a way to make it work in Montreal,” Bartlett said, removing any doubt about the preferred outcome.

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That doesn't guarantee a quick agreement. Hughes has his own salary structure, roster plan and evaluation of where Xhekaj fits among Montreal's defencemen.

Bartlett described Hughes as a direct negotiator who understands his plan and sticks with it. That approach can stretch talks deeper into the summer, especially when both sides are trying to establish the player's long-term role.

“We still have lots of time, and there's no need to panic,” Bartlett added.

That's the clearest signal yet. Xhekaj's camp isn't treating the unsigned contract as evidence of a broken relationship, and the Canadiens haven't indicated they're ready to move on.

The real question is no longer whether Xhekaj wants Montreal. His agent has answered that. The question is whether Hughes and Bartlett can settle on a contract that matches his place in the lineup.

For now, the expected outcome remains the strongest one: Xhekaj returns to Montreal, competes for his spot and gives St-Louis a physical option on the blue line.

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