The Canadiens’ blue line is getting crowded fast, and that could put Arber Xhekaj on the move before the season even begins.
Montreal has built itself a real surplus of young defensemen, and that kind of depth always comes with a catch. Someone eventually gets squeezed out, and in this case, Xhekaj looks like the most obvious candidate.
It’s not hard to understand why he has become such a favorite in Montreal. The undrafted defender went from working at Costco to becoming one of the team’s most popular players almost overnight. He arrived with the exact kind of edge the Canadiens needed at the time: physical, fearless, and more than willing to drop the gloves or make life miserable for opponents.
But the roster math is getting tighter. David Reinbacher, Adam Engstrom and Jayden Struble are all in the mix for NHL minutes, and there simply isn’t room for everyone on the back end.
Xhekaj still brings value. At 6-foot-4, he’s the kind of defenseman teams notice, and teams around the league should still have interest in what he offers. Protecting teammates, clearing the crease and adding toughness are useful traits, and they don’t exactly grow on trees.
The problem is that his game has not always been clean enough for Martin St. Louis to lean on him in bigger spots. His physical presence is a weapon, but his defensive play has been inconsistent, and there are nights when his decision-making and discipline work against him.
That’s why Montreal could look to capitalize now. Xhekaj is a restricted free agent, and if Kent Hughes decides he’s unlikely to land steady minutes, a trade before the season could make sense. A return could come in the form of a draft pick or even a young forward who better addresses a need up front.
This wouldn’t be about Xhekaj wearing out his welcome. It would be the opposite: the Canadiens have developed so many young pieces that one of their most recognizable players may be the odd man out. It happens, and it’s a tough part of the business.
In Other News...
Arber Xhekaj Just Put One Canadiens Decision Under The Microscope
Arber Xhekajs place in the Canadiens lineup has become one of those quiet roster questions that can carry real salary-cap weight. An analyst recently argued that Montreal should think of him as a sixth or seventh defenseman, a player whose appeal comes from his physical edge and willingness to make life uncomfortable for opponents, but not one whose role automatically warrants a major raise.
The debate gets sharper because Xhekajs contract situation is still unresolved, and his usage is part of the conversation. If he remains in that limited role, the market for him may not climb as high as some would expect, which puts Montreal in an interesting spot as it weighs toughness, ice time and future value on the blue line. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Need To Sacrifice A Top Prospect For Bigger Upgrade
With the Canadiens looking to reshape the roster around more immediate help, reports have them exploring trade discussions that could eventually lead to a significant prospect piece changing hands. Montreal already has multiple defensemen under contract, which gives the front office some flexibility if it wants to turn a young blue-liner into a more established NHL contributor and address a couple of longer-term needs at once.
Adam Engstrom is one of the names believed to have real value in those talks, and that alone says plenty about how the market views him. The bigger question for Montreal is how far it is willing to go in pursuit of an impact forward and a proven right-shot defenseman, with the kind of upgrade it wants likely requiring a notable sacrifice before anything actually gets over the line. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Finally Have A Real Montembeault Trade Opening
The goalie market in Columbus just got a lot more interesting, and Montreal has to be paying attention. With Elvis Merzlikins sidelined after shoulder surgery, the Blue Jackets are suddenly looking at a situation where Jet Greaves is carrying the load and Pheonix Copley is at least part of the conversation if more help is needed. For a Canadiens front office that has long had to weigh what to do with Samuel Montembeault, that kind of opening is the sort of development that can change the temperature around a potential deal.
Montembeault is also in the final year of his contract, which adds to the intrigue around his future. After a rough statistical season, he still profiles as the type of goalie a team in Columbus's position could examine if it wants stability or insurance, and Montreal would have to at least consider whether this is the right moment to explore value. No trade has been confirmed, but the fit is obvious enough that this is now one of those situations worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]