Arber Xhekaj’s name is still hanging around the trade market, and the latest chatter has pushed the speculation into a new lane.
Jeff Marek of the DFO Rundown added fresh detail to the conversation, and he brought the Philadelphia Flyers back into the picture. On his show, Marek pointed to the kind of player Xhekaj is and said it makes sense that certain teams would circle him.
“Regarding Arber Xhekaj's future with the Canadiens: I think when a player like that becomes available, it's not a surprise that we draw a line between that player and the Flyers”
- Jeff Marek
That line from Marek is the key piece here, because it strongly suggests Xhekaj has “become available” in trade discussions.
The Canadiens defenseman has been a recurring topic all summer, and the biggest reason is simple: he still doesn’t have a contract for next season. That unresolved situation has kept his name alive in rumors for weeks.
On the ice, Xhekaj’s most recent season produced 4 points in 65 games with a -8 rating. The numbers don’t tell the whole story, though, since his appeal comes from what he brings beyond offense.
For a team that wants toughness and depth on the blue line, he fits the profile of a player who can draw attention. That’s why his name keeps surfacing, and why a report from someone like Marek carries extra weight.
There’s still no indication that a deal is close. Even so, the latest update confirms that Xhekaj is very much in the mix and circulating in trade talk.
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