Canadiens on the verge of giving up on a member of their core

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Cooper Godin
May 16, 2024 (7:54 PM)

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The Montreal Canadiens are going to be an interesting team to watch at the draft and in the summer as General Manager Kent Hughes continues to look for ways to improve his roster.

At the 2022 draft, which was held in Montreal, Hughes made a big splash, acquiring Kirby Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks and then one day before last year's draft, he brought in Alex Newhook in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche.

Could Hughes make it three years in a row with a big trade at the NHL Entry Draft? It seems like he may try and it could involve one of his defenceman.

Speaking of defenceman, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Kent Hughes has been receiving calls on 23-year-old defenceman Arber Xhekaj, but he's telling teams that he isn't interesting in trading him.

Pagnotta added that Hughes is open to the possibility of moving another one of his young defenceman, as the Canadiens have quite the logjam on the blueline with Lane Hutson and potentially David Reinbacher becoming full-time NHLers next season.

"As recent as this week, teams continue to ask the Montreal Canadiens about defenceman Arber Xhekaj, but Habs GM Kent Hughes keeps turning them away. Hughes isn't interested in moving the sturdy blueliner but is open to moving some of his other young defencemen." Pagnotta said.

In any deal that involves one of their defencemen, or other pieces, there's no doubt they'd like to add another impact top-six player, possibly someone like Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, who they've been linked to for a few months now. In order to get a player like Zegras, Kent Hughes is going to have to give up quite a bit and for the Anaheim Ducks, someone like Jordan Harris, Justin Barron or Jayden Struble could be of interest, along with other assets as well.

Xhekaj, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, saw his season come to an end early due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. In 44 games with the Canadiens this season, he put up ten points (three goals, seven assists), 81 penalty minutes and was a plus-six. He also appeared in 17 AHL games for Laval, tallying 11 points (three goals, eight assists), 34 penalty minutes and was a plus-three.

It'll be interesting to see what Kent Hughes does this summer with the Canadiens' roster and if anyone reaches out with an offer he can't refuse regarding Arber Xhekaj.

Source: The Fourth Period - CUP OR BUST MENTALITY FOR TORONTO