The Montreal Canadiens have been a hotbed of NHL trade rumors this offseason, and one name that consistently popped up was young defenseman Arber Xhekaj. With a combination of physicality and offensive upside, “WiFi” quickly became a fan favorite in Montreal. Naturally, this led to speculation that contending teams might try to pry him away from the rebuilding Habs.
NHL insider Darren Dreger fueled the fire, stating on TSN Radio in Montreal that there would be significant interest in Xhekaj if he were ever made available. “If Kent Hughes ever decided to put Arber Xhekaj on the trade block,” Dreger claimed, “there would be double-digit teams with interest…not just the teams that have a clear need for 5, 6, 7th defensemen.”
However, sources close to the situation indicate that Xhekaj is not on the trade block. The Canadiens view him as a key piece of their future and are not actively shopping him. While general manager Kent Hughes would undoubtedly listen to offers, it would take a massive package to even get him to the negotiating table.
Why Keep Xhekaj?
From my perspective, this is the right move by the Canadiens. Xhekaj brings a unique blend of size, skill, and snarl to the lineup. He’s a player who can energize a team and change the momentum of a game.
At just 23 years old, he has tremendous potential. He’s already shown flashes of offensive ability, and his defensive game will improve over time. With the right development, he could become a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL.
Trading Xhekaj now would be selling low on a player with a high ceiling. The Canadiens are better off letting him develop in Montreal and become a cornerstone of their blue line for years to come.
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