The Montreal Canadiens still have two restricted free agents hanging out in the middle of the summer conversation, and the question around Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc is less about panic than timing.
Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff told TSN Radio in Montreal on Monday that he doesn’t see this as a situation where nerves are building fast. For him, the hold-up looks more like a negotiation over where each side is willing to give in.
“Well, I mean, again, I don’t know if it’s nerves. I think it’s more just like question marks.
Like, how much could either side, both like the Canadiens and the players, in this instance, be kind of like not willing to budge on? Like, if you look at Arber Xhekaj, more or less a seventh defenseman in their playoff run last year to the Eastern Conference Final, behind Jayden Struble on that depth chart.
And as we’ve spoken about a lot over the past few weeks, maybe even David Reinbacher.
So I’m not sure how much Arber Xhekaj could be looking for. Obviously, wants to bet on himself, so maybe he’s looking for a shorter-term deal, while the Canadiens perhaps want some cost certainty.
And as for Zachary Bolduc, I think he probably has a bit more leverage than Xhekaj because of how he’s kind of been like a Swiss Army knife up and down that lineup. But I mean, at a certain point, you’re talking about a six-seven defenseman and a bottom six forward, and I just don’t know how long this could like possibly drag out.”
That’s the crux of it: Xhekaj and Bolduc both matter, but the roles being discussed here are not the kind that usually lead to a long, dramatic standoff. Di Marco’s read is that the Canadiens and the players may simply be sorting through term and value.
The organization has usually had its business done by this point, which is why the lack of signatures stands out. Bolduc is the player Montreal targeted and acquired from St.
Louis, sending Logan Mailloux the other way to get him. Bolduc also told RDS on Monday that he wants to stay in Montreal, said he understands it’s a business, and added that he trusts his agent to handle it.
Xhekaj’s case is a little different. He’s a draft pick who brings a physical element the lineup doesn’t otherwise have.
When he stays within himself, he’s a useful piece. The bigger question is what that kind of player should cost if he’s viewed as a sixth- or seventh-defenseman.
And that’s where the next move for Kent Hughes comes into focus. Whether either player ends up getting a deal, or becomes part of a larger trade discussion to address another need, will come down to how the Canadiens’ general manager values them over the long haul.
In Other News...
Canadiens Quiet Offseason May Be About To Change Fast
Montreals quiet offseason has started to feel a little less quiet as the Canadiens continue to be mentioned in the same breath as other Atlantic Division clubs that have already made their rosters look stronger. The sense around the team is not that a deal is done, but that general manager Kent Hughes has kept the door open to trade talks while the front office keeps searching for ways to upgrade a top-six forward group that still looks like the clearest need.
A handful of names have surfaced in the rumor mill, including Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj, which is enough to keep speculation humming even without a confirmed transaction. For a Canadiens club that has spent much of the summer waiting for the market to bring the right opportunity, the next move may come quickly if Hughes decides the fit and timing are finally there. [Read more 🡒]
Ducks Face A Tough Price If They Push For Arber Xhekaj
Arber Xhekaj keeps showing up in trade chatter for the simple reason that teams looking for defensive help notice what he brings. The Montreal defenseman has the kind of edge and presence that can appeal to a club trying to toughen up its blue line, and Anaheim has been floated as a fit if the Ducks decide to keep pushing for more depth on the back end. For Montreal, though, the broader picture matters just as much as the player itself, because any discussion of moving Xhekaj would have to make sense for a team that still sees value in what he adds.
The obstacle for Anaheim is not just whether Xhekaj is available, but whether the price is worth it while the Ducks juggle cap concerns and the need to get Cutter Gauthier signed. Even in a hypothetical framework, the ask would have to be substantial enough to interest Montreal, which is why these talks tend to circle around prospects and draft capital rather than a simple hockey trade. For now, there is no sign the Canadiens are looking to make Xhekaj available, which leaves this more as a useful reminder of his market value than a deal on the verge of happening. [Read more 🡒]