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The Montreal Canadiens seem to be shopping around Arber Xhekaj and the Maple Leafs should be interested, but not at the current asking price.
One of the Montreal Canadiens’ greatest strengths right now is the depth of defensive prospects they’ve built up over the last several years. After a long stretch of questionable drafting, it finally seems like they’re hitting their stride.
That depth, however, means Montreal has some tough roster decisions to make, including the possibility of moving out fringe players who might not fit into their long-term plans.
Canadiens Shopping Arber Xhekaj, But the Asking Price Is Steep
According to recent reports, Arber Xhekaj is being shopped around the league, with the Canadiens reportedly seeking a first-round pick in return.
At just 24 years old, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds, Xhekaj brings size, toughness, and a physical edge that would be a natural fit for the Maple Leafs’ evolving blueline. His grit and tenacity could make Toronto’s already rugged defensive corps even harder to play against.
The issue, however, is the asking price. The Maple Leafs don’t have a first-round pick for the next two years, and moving an already rare draft asset may not be the best play for a team still trying to build for both the present and future.
If Toronto does decide to pursue another defenseman, it seems more likely they’d target someone who can provide additional offensive upside from the back end.
A more realistic package might look something like Nicholas Robertson, a prospect like the recently extended William Villeneuve and a draft pick might be more in line with what they’d offer.Another scenario could be a swap involving Simon Benoit and a late pick, creating an intriguing storyline: Xhekaj, a Hamilton native, joining the Leafs while Benoit, who grew up a Canadiens fan, heads home to Montreal.
While Xhekaj would undeniably add bite to the Leafs’ defense, the question remains whether Toronto should pay the price Montreal is asking, or hold their assets for a different type of upgrade.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily