Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Since Samuel Blais successfully cleared waivers to join the Laval Rocket, the imagination of some fans has gone into overdrive.
Speculation has started circulating on social media over the past few hours: should the Canadiens try the same maneuver with Arber Xhekaj?
The idea, proposed by an internet user, would be to allow the “Sheriff” to get ice time and quality training during the Olympic break.
However, the contractual reality and the player’s value complicate this idealistic scenario.
Analyst Marco D’Amico quickly put an end to the speculation with a blunt and unequivocal response.
According to him, there is no chance that number 72 would clear waivers without being claimed by another team.
“He doesn’t make it through waivers…”, D’Amico simply stated, shattering the hopes of those who wanted to see Xhekaj dominate in the American Hockey League.
A risk Kent Hughes absolutely cannot take with Arber Xhekaj
Let’s tell it like it is: Xhekaj’s situation is the complete opposite of Samuel Blais’.
Xhekaj, unlike Blais, is a young, rugged defenseman, a rare commodity that the other 31 general managers would love to add to their lineup.
Placing him on waivers would essentially be handing him over to the competition for free, on a silver platter.
It goes without saying that Kent Hughes is a calculated manager who would never make such a glaring evaluation mistake.
Even if the goal of getting him more ice time is a noble one, the price to pay, the likely loss of Xhekaj, is far too high.
This confirms that despite the ups and downs of his season, Arber Xhekaj’s market value remains strong across the league.
The file is therefore closed before it was ever officially opened: Xhekaj stays in Montreal.
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Why the Canadiens won’t risk waiving Arber Xhekaj, despite growing speculation
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