Arber Xhekaj could become Martin St-Louis' biggest blue-line decision if Montreal follows Pierre McGuire's warning with another trade.
McGuire recently said he believes the Canadiens will make a trade soon. He did not identify Xhekaj, an important distinction before turning speculation into something stronger.
Still, Xhekaj is an obvious player for rival teams to ask Kent Hughes about because Montreal has considerable organizational depth on defense and decisions coming before camp.
The 25-year-old is also an unsigned restricted free agent. His previous contract carried a $1,300,000 cap hit, while his qualifying offer sits at the same figure.
Xhekaj played 65 games last season and recorded 148 hits. His physical presence gives him a profile Montreal can't simply replace with another ordinary depth defenseman.
The Canadiens also aren't under immediate cap pressure. They are projected to have $9,784,000 available, so moving Xhekaj wouldn't need to be a salary-clearing transaction.
That changes the trade calculation. Hughes can focus strictly on whether Xhekaj helps him acquire a better player rather than moving him simply to create room.
“Xhekaj is too useful, too young and too unique for Montreal to simply move him for the sake of making a trade. However, if Hughes can package Xhekaj in a deal that improves the Canadiens somewhere higher in the lineup, the conversation becomes much more interesting.”
- Rob Ellis
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Arber Xhekaj could become the key piece in Montreal's next blockbuster trade
Montreal has already been linked to adding another experienced right-shot defenseman. If that player arrives, Xhekaj's path to regular minutes under St-Louis becomes much tighter.
Stu Cowan previously suggested Xhekaj could lose his regular place if Hughes lands that type of defender, adding another reason his name keeps surfacing.
“In my view, Montreal would be making a mistake trading Xhekaj solely for a draft pick unless the return significantly exceeded expectations. The more logical scenario would be using him as part of a larger package.”
- Rob Ellis
There should also be interest if Montreal listens. Xhekaj brings size, edge and NHL experience while remaining young enough for another organization to view him as more than short-term depth.
That is why a simple pick-for-player deal would feel light unless the return exceeded expectations. His real value may come as part of a larger package.
Hughes has been looking for help higher in the lineup, including another top-six forward. Using defensive depth to address that need would make far more sense than dealing Xhekaj in isolation.
Montreal can also keep him. There is no confirmed report that Hughes is shopping Xhekaj, and McGuire never connected his trade prediction directly to the defenseman.
But camp is getting closer, Montreal's blue line is crowded and Hughes appears willing to keep working the phones. If another meaningful Canadiens trade arrives, Arber Xhekaj is one of the names worth watching closely.
Source : Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors: Is Arber Xhekaj the Player to Watch?
Should Kent Hughes include Arber Xhekaj in a package for a top-six forward?
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