Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
At least one of the Canadiens’ left-shot defensemen will have to be traded.
And Arber Xhekaj would make the most sense in a short-term trade, according to Grant McCagg, a former Montreal Canadiens scout.
The analyst weighed in on the logjam on the Canadiens’ blue line, and his thinking unfortunately lines up with many of the discussions surrounding Xhekaj’s future.
There are more and more rumblings pointing in that direction.
His reasoning comes down to Xhekaj’s value.
McCagg believes Xhekaj could bring back the biggest return among the team’s left-shot defensemen.
It’s an interesting angle.
Rather than viewing Xhekaj’s departure as a “loss,” McCagg sees him as an asset capable of bringing back a major return at the right time.
His physicality and reputation make him a sought-after commodity around the NHL.
Few defensemen bring that kind of physical presence, which boosts his value on the trade market.
The Canadiens have no shortage of left-shot defensemen, creating a logjam that is becoming difficult for Kent Hughes to manage.
Arber Xhekaj could help Kent Hughes fill a major need
McCagg took his analysis one step further.
According to him, the Canadiens don’t have many holes in their lineup.
That’s a luxury that changes the way Kent Hughes can approach future trades:
“When they do make a trade, it should be to specifically fill one of them,” he said.
In other words, the Canadiens shouldn’t trade Xhekaj “just” for the sake of trading him.
A deal has to bring back a piece that addresses a real need, such as a center or a right-shot defenseman.
The Canadiens are looking for a second-line center and a second-pair right-shot defenseman.
Xhekaj could become the ideal trade chip to help fill one of those needs, at least as part of a larger package.
And you, what do you think about all of this?
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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Former Canadiens scout says Arber Xhekaj could be the key to a major trade
Should the Canadiens trade Arber Xhekaj to address a specific need?