Report Indicates Arber Xhekaj’s Days With Canadiens Coming to an End

Montréal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj fights Nikita Zadorov

Arber Xhekaj's days with the Montreal Canadiens seem to be coming to an end. At least according to Tony Marinaro of TVA Sports, who said this week, "Something's going to happen" with the hard-hitting defenseman's future.

"I think that at some point, the Canadiens are going to have to make a decision [about Xhekaj]," Marinaro said during the JiC show.

"I don't think Xhekaj has a future with the Canadiens. I wouldn't be surprised if something happens during draft week."

Georges Laraque of BPM Sports also recently said that the pugilist d-man was offered to virtually every team in the league before the trade deadline. Keep in mind, however, Laraque also suggested just about exactly one year ago that Xhekaj's days with the team were numbered.

Arber Xhekaj is RFA this summer

The 25-year-old blueliner is a restricted free agent this summer, and this would be the Canadiens' chance to get out of the Arber Xhekaj business, if they want.

He's been in and out of the lineup this season, with a number of healthy scratches, and has one goal and one assist for two points in 55 games. He also has 149 hits and 108 penalty minutes, while logging 11:16 of average ice time per night. That's down over three minutes a game from last season, when he saw action in 70 games.

The biggest problem for Xhekaj's future with the team is the fact that some top prospects with serious hockey skills are coming soon to a regular spot on the Montreal blueline, including Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher.

Despite the intimidation factor that the 6-foot-5 Xhekaj brings, it sounds like a trade could be coming before he even hits RFA status on July 1st.