Montreal Canadiens Getting Trade Calls On Arber Xhekaj
Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, speaking on Leafs Morning Take, multiple teams have been calling Montreal to inquire about defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
"Some teams have been calling about Arber Xhekaj," Pagnotta said.
Marco D'Amico of RG Media confirmed the same, reporting that multiple teams have reached out about the supersized blueliner.
Why He's Available
The interest stems from a logjam on Montreal's blue line.
Xhekaj, a 25-year-old restricted free agent still without a contract for 2026-27, saw his role diminish significantly last season, at times appearing to fall out of Martin St. Louis' plans and dropping in the pecking order during the playoffs.
#Habs Jeff Gorton on contract talks wih Arber Xhekaj
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) June 25, 2026
"We've already had conversations with Arber himself when he left Montreal for the summer. I feel pretty confident that all our guys will continue good conversations. Right now it's the draft, kind of concentrate on that, and… pic.twitter.com/71JLzPYO6C
The bigger factor is the impending arrival of top prospect David Reinbacher, who posted 24 points in 57 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket, along with other young defensemen like Adam Engstrom pushing for NHL time.
With the Canadiens' defensive core now largely locked in, Xhekaj could be the odd man out.
There also appears to be a disconnect between management and the coaching staff, as GM Kent Hughes has been firm about not wanting to trade him, while St. Louis has barely used him even when he dresses.
What He Brings
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Xhekaj is one of the toughest players in the league and exactly the type of physical presence that draws interest.
He led the Canadiens with 178 hits during the regular season and posted a plus-5 rating across Montreal's 13-game playoff run, fitting the identity Hughes has tried to build of a team that is difficult to play against.
For his career, the undrafted defenseman has 33 points and 416 penalty minutes across 230 games.
The Calgary Flames showed interest before the March deadline, and given his profile, it is easy to see rebuilding teams kicking tires on a young, physical, left-shot defender who could earn more consistent playing time elsewhere.
The Complication
Trading Xhekaj would come with real risk.
Montreal has repeatedly emphasized wanting to become bigger and more physical, and moving a player who embodies exactly that would send an unusual message.
Financially, the Canadiens are not under pressure to make a move, entering the offseason with roughly $14 million in cap space and no urgent need to clear money.
However, Hughes still has holes to fill, having not yet added a right-shot defenseman or an impact top-six forward, and if Xhekaj can be the piece that helps land one of those, Montreal may have to listen.
