The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a complicated spot as the Olympic break hits. They’re six points out of the final wild card position-close enough to keep hope alive, but far enough that every decision from here on out carries weight. And while they’ve rattled off three straight wins heading into the pause, the front office still has some tough calls to make before the trade deadline.
Earlier in the season, it looked like the Leafs were leaning toward becoming sellers at the deadline. But now, the picture is a little murkier.
Instead of a full-on sell-off, Toronto might be looking at a more nuanced approach-moving select pieces with an eye toward retooling for next season, not just tearing things down. That kind of strategy opens the door to creative trades, and one possibility that’s starting to gain traction involves a familiar rival: the Montreal Canadiens.
Could a Benoit-for-Xhekaj Swap Actually Work?
Let’s talk about the potential framework: Simon Benoit to Montreal, Arber Xhekaj to Toronto. On paper, it’s a one-for-one deal that could help both teams in very different ways.
For Montreal, Benoit makes a lot of sense. He’s a Quebec native who plays a hard-nosed, stay-at-home style that would fit nicely on the Canadiens’ third pairing.
He’s also under contract for another season, which adds value-this isn’t just a rental. And with the Habs still eyeing a playoff push, adding a more reliable, defensively sound blueliner could be a smart way to stabilize their back end.
But this idea really picks up steam when you consider Xhekaj’s situation in Montreal. His ice time has been trending in the wrong direction.
In close games, he’s barely cracking double digits, and that’s usually a sign that the coaching staff doesn’t fully trust a player in key moments. Whether it’s defensive awareness, puck decisions, or discipline, something isn’t clicking right now between Xhekaj and the bench.
That’s where Toronto comes in.
Why Xhekaj Could Be a Fit in Toronto
If the Leafs are going to move Benoit, it makes sense to target a player who’s young, has upside, and brings a different element to the blue line. Xhekaj checks all those boxes.
He’s physical, plays with an edge, and has that kind of fire that Leafs fans tend to rally behind. In a market like Toronto, where grit and toughness are always in demand-especially on the blue line-Xhekaj would be an instant fan favorite.
And from a roster-building standpoint, the fit is intriguing. Toronto’s defense has lacked bite at times.
Adding a player like Xhekaj could help balance things out, especially if the coaching staff can help him round out the rough edges of his game. He’s still young, and a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to take the next step.
On the flip side, Benoit heading to Montreal would be a bit of a homecoming. He grew up cheering for the Canadiens, and this would be a chance to wear that sweater during the most meaningful stretch of the season.
That’s not nothing. And while he’s fit in well in Toronto, the opportunity to play a bigger role on a team he grew up idolizing could be a motivating factor.
The Rivalry Factor
Now, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: trades between the Leafs and Canadiens are rare. These two don’t exactly have a long history of helping each other out.
But it’s not unheard of. There’s precedent-think back to the Mikhail Grabovski deal in 2009 or the Tomas Plekanec trade in 2018.
When the fit is right and both teams see value, even rivals can find common ground.
In this case, Montreal would be getting a more dependable defender to help with a playoff push, while Toronto would be betting on upside and physicality-two things their blue line could use more of. It’s a classic hockey trade: different needs, different timelines, potentially mutual benefits.
So while the Leafs still have decisions to make about their direction this season, this is exactly the kind of deal that could thread the needle. It’s not a full sell-off, and it’s not a win-now splash. It’s a hockey move-one that could make both teams better, in their own way.