Kent Hughes passed on a move that could have replaced Arber Xhekaj
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The Canadiens’ failure to add a new right-shot defenseman this summer wasn’t just about the price.
It may also reveal how much confidence Kent Hughes has in Arber Xhekaj.
And Kent Hughes didn’t force anything.
Brunet even suggested that the 2028 version of the Canadiens, once their competitive window is fully open, probably would have paid the premium.
Arpon Basu of The Athletic offered a similar nuance: the urgency to add a right-shot defenseman was greater at the last trade deadline.This summer, it simply wasn’t a priority for the organization, which still strongly believes in the potential of David Reinbacher and Arber Xhekaj.
Canadiens’ quiet summer on defense points to growing confidence in Arber Xhekaj
But there’s another angle worth considering.
Adding an established right-shot defenseman probably would have pushed Xhekaj out or into a reduced role.
The decision not to make a move at that position could also reflect genuine confidence in the rugged defenseman, despite his unresolved contract situation.
That also adds to the recent positive comments about him from Geoff Molson, Nick Suzuki and Stéphane Robidas.
Xhekaj has continued training in Brossard this summer, a move that says plenty about his motivation heading into the new season.
Arber Xhekaj, 25, is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defenseman who recorded 4 points in 65 games last season, finished with a -8 rating and 116 penalty minutes, but his impact on the Canadiens goes well beyond those numbers.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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Kent Hughes passed on a move that could have replaced Arber Xhekaj
Is Kent Hughes’ inaction on the right side a sign of confidence in Arber Xhekaj?