{"id":468895,"date":"2026-02-24T00:39:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T00:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/468895\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T00:39:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T00:39:05","slug":"arber-xhekaj-draws-trade-interest-as-canadiens-face-deadline-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/468895\/","title":{"rendered":"Arber Xhekaj draws trade interest as Canadiens face deadline decision"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nArber Xhekaj draws trade interest as Canadiens face deadline decision
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\n <\/p>\n

All Montreal Hockey has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t \"Jan <\/p>\n

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Arber Xhekaj situation is starting to heat up across Montreal.<\/p>\n

Let’s be honest, the Sheriff leaves no one indifferent. His physical style and contagious energy represent a unique asset for a team looking for muscle in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Yet his ice time has decreased recently. No one is calling it a scandal just yet, but Martin St-Louis seems to be testing other options to stabilize his defensive unit.<\/p>\n

This reduction in minutes raises questions about his long-term future. Is it simply a message from the coach or a sign of deeper reflection within management?<\/p>\n

As of this morning, the situation is clear: the Canadiens are no longer in rebuild mode. The goal is the playoffs, and every decision becomes strategic in order to take the next step.<\/p>\n

Xhekaj will become a restricted free agent on July 1. That contract status forces Kent Hughes to evaluate the defenseman’s true market value.<\/p>\n

“We haven’t discussed anything about that,” Xhekaj said after practice Wednesday in Brossard when asked about his contract situation. “We’ll see what happens.”<\/p>\n

A gut-wrenching decision for Kent Hughes<\/p>\n

“Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is going to have a tough decision to make about Xhekaj’s future with the team. There’s no doubt other GMs will be calling about Xhekaj ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline. Again, there aren’t many players like him in the NHL.”<\/p>\n

– Stu Cowan<\/p>\n

If a team offers a first-round pick or a quality prospect, the temptation will be strong. Montreal must manage its salary cap with surgical precision to remain competitive.<\/p>\n

Let’s be honest, losing a player with his character would hurt the fan base. But in a results-driven league, sentimentality often has no place in the general manager’s office.<\/p>\n

It’s clear the Canadiens are now operating like a contending club. Difficult decisions are part of the process of one day bringing the Stanley Cup back to Montreal.<\/p>\n

Previously on All Montreal Hockey<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

1 HOUR AGO|96 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Arber Xhekaj draws trade interest as Canadiens face deadline decision<\/p>\n

Should Arber Xhekaj be traded before the deadline?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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