The Montreal Canadiens need to figure out what to do about Arber Xhekaj, and the fact that other teams are reportedly showing interest makes the situation even more complicated. Xhekaj remains an RFA, with plenty of chatter positing that Xhekaj could be on the block.
It's not hard to argue why the Habs' blueliner would be on the outs.
Let's be honest about what Xhekaj is. He's a 25-year-old, 6-foot-4 defenseman whose greatest asset is his physicality. He's not exactly a two-way dynamo, and there isn't much evidence that he's going to suddenly become an offensive force.
On a deep playoff contender, Xhekaj might very well be a seventh defenseman. Look at the Colorado Avalanche or the Dallas Stars. Would he actually crack those blue lines when everyone is healthy?
Probably not.
So, yes, the Canadiens could trade him. But that's precisely why they shouldn't. The biggest mistake wouldn't be losing Xhekaj. It would be getting virtually nothing for him.
The Canadiens have a pretty simple solution here: Sign him to a bridge deal.
Something like two years at $1.5 million per season would make plenty of sense. Xhekaj's previous contract carried a $1.3 million AAV, and his qualifying offer for 2026-27 is also $1.3 million.
At that price, there's very little risk.
Montreal gets another two years to figure out exactly what it has in Xhekaj. Maybe he develops into a legitimate everyday defenseman. Maybe he doesn't. Either way, the Canadiens aren't tying themselves down.
There's also a significant benefit for Xhekaj.
A two-year deal would take the former undrafted prospect directly to UFA status . Such an arrangement would allow Xhekaj an opportunity to bet on himself and potentially cash in, that is, if he can establish himself as a regular NHL defenseman.
That's a much better proposition than trading a 25-year-old for a mediocre return simply because there isn't currently a clear role for him. The Canadiens have already shown they're willing to give Xhekaj another chance. They issued him a qualifying offer this summer, retaining their rights to the RFA.
Why not take advantage of that?
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Here's where this could actually work in Montreal's favor: Xhekaj doesn't need to become a star for his trade value to increase. He just needs to become a reliable NHL defenseman.
If he signs for two years and plays 70 games in 2026-27, provides physicality, stays out of trouble, and demonstrates that he can handle regular minutes, suddenly the Canadiens have a much more valuable asset.
That's when trading him makes sense.
Montreal could potentially move Xhekaj before he reaches unrestricted free agency and extract something meaningful in return. The market already exists for his skill set, with multiple teams reportedly having inquired about him.
Why sell now, when his value is arguably at its lowest?
The Canadiens don't need to pretend Xhekaj is something he's not. He may never become more than a depth defenseman. But depth defensemen still have value, particularly when they are young, inexpensive, and willing to make opponents uncomfortable.
Montreal can afford to wait. And if Xhekaj proves the doubters wrong, the Canadiens can always trade him later.
That's a much better bet than selling low right now.
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