Geoff Molson has put his name on the line in the Arber Xhekaj conversation, and that alone should settle a lot of the noise around the Montreal Canadiens defenseman.
In an interview, the Canadiens owner made it clear that Xhekaj is still part of the organization’s plans, while also saying general manager Kent Hughes is working on deals for both Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc before the season opens.
"They're two important players for us, and we're working hard to sign them."
- Geoff Molson
That’s the kind of direct answer that tends to stop a rumor cycle in its tracks. For weeks, Xhekaj’s future had been a talking point, with some around the team wondering whether Montreal’s depth on the blue line could make him a trade possibility. Molson’s remarks don’t shut that door forever, but they certainly cool things off for the moment.
Xhekaj’s 2024-25 season wasn’t a loud one on the scoresheet. He finished with one goal and three assists in 65 games, and his minus-8 rating reflected a year in which his usage under head coach Martin St-Louis was tougher than before. Still, his value has never been built on points alone.
He brings a physical edge that can change the temperature of a game in an instant, and teammates know he’ll answer when things get heavy. That kind of presence doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it matters.
None of that makes him untouchable. Very few NHL players are. But after all the speculation since the start of the summer, Molson’s comments should at least take some of the heat off Xhekaj’s name for now.
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Still, the fan base does not seem close to a consensus. Some of the criticism has stuck, but his defensive numbers have not painted him as the teams weakest link in turnovers, and the larger question is how Montreal should view a player who is both heavily trusted and regularly picked apart. With his long-term place in the organization now set, the conversation around Matheson feels less about whether he matters and more about exactly how much. [Read more 🡒]