Arber Xhekaj's Phone Is Ringing: Why NHL Teams Are Circling Montreal's Toughest Defenseman

The Montreal Canadiens spent the past several years carefully assembling a young, talented roster after their 2021 Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Now, with a 106-point season in the rearview mirror and a deep playoff run still fresh in memory, the front office faces a summer full of roster decisions that could shape the franchise's trajectory for years to come. One of those decisions involves a fan favorite whose future in Montreal is suddenly less certain than it once appeared.

Growing Interest Around the League

NHL insider David Pagnotta recently revealed on the Leafs Morning Take podcast that multiple teams have reached out to the Canadiens regarding restricted free agent Arber Xhekaj. The 6-foot-4 defenseman, known primarily for his intimidating physical presence rather than his offensive output, has become one of the more intriguing names on the trade market this summer.

Xhekaj recorded just four points across 65 regular season games during the 2025-26 campaign, numbers that hardly jump off the page. But his value has never been measured in goals and assists. The 25-year-old led the Canadiens with 178 hits during the regular season and racked up 116 penalty minutes, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league's most punishing defenders. When the stakes rose in the postseason, head coach Martin St-Louis leaned on him even more. Xhekaj appeared in all 13 playoff games, posted a plus-5 rating, and looked increasingly comfortable as the series tightened, notching a goal and a plus-3 mark over his final 10 games.

His contract situation only adds to the intrigue. Xhekaj carried a cap hit of just $1.3 million last season and received a qualifying offer on June 29, which allowed Montreal to retain his negotiating rights. He opted not to file for salary arbitration, giving both sides room to negotiate. At that price point, rival general managers see a young, physical defenseman who could be had without breaking the bank, and that combination is rare enough to generate phone calls.

A Defensive Logjam Forces Tough Choices

The real reason teams sense an opportunity in Montreal has less to do with Xhekaj's shortcomings and more to do with the Canadiens' embarrassment of riches on the blue line. Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle are all locked into long-term contracts that extend into the early 2030s. Alexandre Carrier is signed for another year and has earned his spot with consistent play. Jayden Struble also occupies a role, and behind all of them, top prospects David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom are knocking on the door.

Reinbacher, selected fifth overall in the 2023 draft, put up 24 points in 57 AHL games with the Laval Rocket last season and appears ready to push for a full-time NHL role. Engstrom is not far behind. With only six or seven defensive spots available, someone will inevitably be squeezed out, and opposing front offices are betting that Xhekaj could be the odd man out.

General manager Kent Hughes has roughly $14 million in available cap space heading into the 2026-27 season with 20 players already under contract. That means there is no immediate financial pressure to move Xhekaj. But long-term planning matters. Hughes has been deliberate about preserving flexibility while core forwards Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky remain on favorable deals, and every dollar allocated to a fifth or sixth defenseman is a dollar unavailable for other upgrades. Reports suggest the Canadiens are still eyeing an experienced second-line center, and moving a defenseman could help facilitate that kind of acquisition.

Despite all the outside noise, there is no indication that Montreal is actively shopping Xhekaj. The Canadiens have repeatedly emphasized their desire to become bigger and harder to play against, and few players on the roster embody that philosophy as completely as the formerly undrafted blueliner from Hamilton. Trading him would not sit well with fans at the Bell Centre, where he has become a beloved figure for his willingness to drop the gloves and protect his teammates.

Still, as any experienced general manager knows, listening costs nothing. If a team presents a package that outweighs what Xhekaj brings to Montreal's identity, Hughes will have a genuine decision on his hands. With training camp still months away and the defensive depth chart only getting more crowded, the calls about Xhekaj are unlikely to stop anytime soon.