Arber Xhekaj’s status with the Canadiens has become one of Montreal’s most closely watched offseason storylines, and a new comment from Maxime Truman is adding fuel to the idea that a resolution may be close.
Trade chatter has not gone away, with the Calgary Flames frequently mentioned in the speculation, and Xhekaj still does not have a contract for next season. That uncertainty has left fans waiting for a firm answer on where he fits in Montreal’s plans.
Truman’s remark is the latest reason to think the Canadiens may already have something lined up.
“I wouldn't be surprised to see deals with Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj confirmed by August 10. Agreements that are already essentially wrapped up, so to speak…”
- DansLesCoulisses
If that read proves accurate, Montreal could announce Xhekaj’s next deal before August 10. That would at least settle one of the team’s biggest remaining offseason questions.
But a contract would only answer part of the story.
Last season raised real doubts about Xhekaj’s place in the lineup. He was scratched multiple times during the regular season and again in the playoffs, and when he did dress, his ice time was limited. At one point, he even played forward for a game in Carolina.
That usage points to the bigger issue: Martin St-Louis appears to prefer a different type of defenseman on his blue line. If Xhekaj is still being viewed as the seventh defenseman, a new deal would not change the underlying question about his role.
So the real decision for Montreal may be less about whether Xhekaj stays and more about what they believe he is becoming. Do the Canadiens still see No. 72 as part of their long-term core, or is he now a more attractive trade piece?
For now, Xhekaj remains a favorite with fans and a well-liked presence in the room. The next move belongs to the Canadiens, and it should say plenty about how they truly view his future.
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Canadiens Face A Real Xhekaj Decision In New Trade Proposal
Arber Xhekaj keeps lingering in the center of Montreals offseason conversation, and the latest trade idea only adds another layer to it. Calgarys interest in the young Canadiens defenseman has been floating around for months, and the discussion has resurfaced again as Montreal continues sorting out its blue line and weighing what kind of move would actually make sense for the roster it wants to build.
The appeal from the Canadiens side is straightforward enough: they have been looking for a right-handed defenseman who can handle meaningful minutes, and the proposal being kicked around would address that need while forcing Montreal to decide how much value it is willing to attach to Xhekaj. Depending on how the deal is structured, the price could climb beyond a simple one-for-one swap, which is exactly why this has become one of those talks worth watching rather than dismissing. [Read more 🡒]
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Fantilli, 21, turned in a strong season with 59 points in 82 games, enough to make him the kind of center any team would at least have to think about. Montreal has not been confirmed as a club preparing an offer sheet, but the possibility alone is enough to keep the idea alive, especially if Columbus finds itself in a spot where matching becomes difficult. [Read more 🡒]
NHL Expansion Buzz Just Put The Nordiques Dream In Jeopardy
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For Montreal followers, the significance goes beyond another market on the league map. If Houston is indeed the destination, it would make the long-discussed idea of the Nordiques coming back look even more remote, even if the NHL has not made anything official yet. For now, it is still just buzz, but it is the kind of buzz that can change how people talk about hockey in Quebec. [Read more 🡒]