Report: Montreal Canadiens Division Rival Linked To Young Defenseman Arber Xhekaj

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Tom Banks
October 28, 2024 (8:23)

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Arber Xhekaj has been a healthy scratch several times this season for the Montreal Canadiens, and now it appears he's on the radar of the rival Ottawa Senators.

The 2024/25 season has started off very inconsistently in Montreal, but even with injuries to the blue line, the team have healthy scratched young defenseman Arber Xhekaj several times. The 23-year old made his return to the lineup on Saturday night however, and after a strong warning from his Head Coach, Xhekaj excelled in a win over the St. Louis Blues.

After his performance, Martin St. Louis spoke glowingly of Xhekaj, and if he continues to play like that, it's very likely that he'll be a part of the lineup all season long.

«I thought he (Arber Xhekaj) was excellent, throughout the gameThe stuff that we talked about that kept him out, I felt like tonight he was very engaged in applying everything that we've been working on, talking with. So I'm happy for him.»

Despite this however, the trade speculation around Xhekaj continues, with Stu Cowan with the Montreal Gazette noting that the Ottawa Senators, due to their links to Xhekaj from his days as a Hamilton Bulldog could be a suitor.

A team that would almost certainly be interested in Xhekaj is Ottawa. Senators owner Michael Andlauer is a big Xhekaj fan after the defenceman helped lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to the 2022 OHL championship. Andlauer still owns the Bulldogs, who moved to Brantford last season.

It's unclear exactly how available Xhekaj is, but with the likes of Logan Mailloux, Lane Hutson and David Reinbacher all coming through the organization, if he is available, it appears Ottawa are ready to make a strong push.