Arber Xhekaj<\/a> over the summer, as reported by David Pagnotta.<\/p>\nWhether Philadelphia remains interested is unclear.<\/p>\n
Canadiens fans would hate to see Xhekaj go, but a change of scenery might actually be the best thing for him, especially if it means getting a bigger role elsewhere.<\/p>\n
At 25, Xhekaj still has plenty to offer, and another team might be willing to give him an opportunity he hasn’t quite found in Montreal.<\/p>\n
Pagnotta explained that the Flyers have had their eye on Xhekaj for a while and made inquiries about him throughout the summer. He couldn’t confirm whether Philadelphia is still pursuing him.<\/p>\n
To be clear, there’s no indication that a trade is imminent. This is about past interest that could eventually resurface.<\/p>\n
Flyers’ past interest in Arber Xhekaj puts Canadiens’ defensive depth and trade options in focus<\/p>\n
Xhekaj carries a manageable $1.5 million cap hit, making his contract an easy one for interested teams to take on.<\/p>\n
The bigger issue is Montreal’s crowded blue line, where competition for playing time has made it difficult for Xhekaj to carve out a consistent role.<\/p>\n
But there’s another side to this situation: the Canadiens haven’t exactly been defending well.<\/p>\n
The Canadiens have allowed 19 goals through five games, an average of 3.8 per contest, so trading away a defenseman while the team is still trying to tighten things up in its own end would come with some risk.<\/p>\n
Here’s what Pagnotta had to say about Philadelphia’s interest:<\/p>\n
“Arber Xhekaj is a guy they’ve had a lot of interest in for a while in Montreal. […] He’s somebody that they poked around on throughout the summer. I don’t know about recent, but that’s a player that has been on their radar in the past.”<\/p>\n
– David Pagnotta<\/p>\n
For now, there’s nothing to suggest Xhekaj is on his way out. But the Flyers’ interest is worth keeping an eye on, especially if his role in Montreal remains limited.<\/p>\n
And there’s already an interesting date on the calendar: November 21, when the Flyers visit the Canadiens at the Bell Centre.<\/p>\n
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n
POLL<\/p>\n
7 HOURS AGO|351 ANSWERS<\/p>\n
Arber Xhekaj has been on the Flyers’ radar for months, giving Kent Hughes something to consider<\/p>\n
Should the Canadiens trade Arber Xhekaj if he could have a bigger role elsewhere?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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![\"Philadelphia](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/687796.webp\" "\\"Philadelphia")
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