Arber Xhekaj still wants to be a Montreal Canadien, and now we know exactly what's slowing the paperwork down.
Eric Engels reported on Sportsnet that Xhekaj's main desire is to keep playing in Montreal.
"I believe his main desire is to keep playing in Montreal, and I believe the Canadiens want to keep him," Engels said.
That's not the tone of a player forcing his way out, or a team looking to move on quietly before the season starts.
NHL Rumour Report followed up with the actual sticking point in these talks.
The real issue for both sides reportedly has been finding an actual role for Xhekaj, who has had to battle for playing time.
That detail changes the entire read on this situation compared to speculation about outside interest from Calgary or Philadelphia earlier this summer.
"Eric Engels: Re Arber Xhekaj negotiations: I believe his main desire is to keep playing in Montreal, and I believe the Canadiens...want to keep him - Sportsnet (8/31)
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NHLRR: The issue for both sides reportedly has been finding a role for the player, who has had to battle for bottom pairing icetime"
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Xhekaj wants Montreal, but the Canadiens still can't solve this problem
Xhekaj posted 4 points in 65 games last season, finishing at minus-8, numbers that reflect exactly the usage question at the center of this negotiation.
A player fighting for a lineup spot doesn't have the same leverage as one locked into a set role every night.
That makes term and dollar figures harder to pin down for both sides, even when everyone agrees they want to stay together.
Head coach Martin St-Louis still has to figure out where Xhekaj fits on a blue line already crowded with options.
GM Kent Hughes faces the same challenge from the front office side, balancing a player's future against a roster that's still very much taking shape.
Wanting to stay together and agreeing on the actual role are two very different problems, and only one of them has been solved so far.
Camp will likely force the issue here, since usage tends to get decided in September whether contracts are signed or not by that point.
Wanting the same outcome is a good start for both sides, but it still isn't the same thing as actually having a deal on paper.
Should the Canadiens guarantee Arber Xhekaj a regular role to get this contract done?
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