Unsigned Habs enforcer Arber Xhekaj drawing interest from rival teams.

Although true enforcers have become something of a dying breed in the National Hockey League, there has been a recent spike in popularity around the rare players who still perform in that role, players like New York Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe, Columbus Blue Jackets enforcer Mathieu Olivier, and Montreal Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj.

Determining the value of these players however is often difficult and we are currently seeing that play out in real time with Xhekaj currently a restricted free agent who remains unsigned and is in ongoing negotiations with his team. While Xhekaj's value on the ice as a player can easily be measured, his intangibles as an enforcer unquestionably add value. That value isn't only of interest to the Canadiens either, as NHL insider David Pagnotte recently revealed.

"They are not the only ones that want to have that sandpaper in the lineup," revealed David Pagnotta this past week. "There are other teams that have expressed interest over the last few weeks in trading for Arber Xhekaj," revealed David Pagnotta this past week.

Although teams have come calling, it sounds like they will have to pay a premium to get the Canadiens to part ways with a player that they intend to keep in the lineup.

"The Canadiens have valued him for some time and they haven't pulled the trigger because they haven't found the deal they want [and] they want to keep the player," said Pagnotta.

Despite that it does sound like there are teams out there who will try to convince the Canadiens to part ways with their enforcer, and perhaps it should come as no surprise that this includes one of the most aggressive teams of the summer so far.

"Philadelphia has been one, they've had interest in him the last couple of years... still the case now," said Pagnotta.

Pagnotta doesn't expect anything imminently but with Xhekaj and the Habs still unable to reach a deal this late into the summer, this one is definitely worth keeping your eye on.