Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has been the subject of trade rumors since he was sent down to the AHL. One team that could be interested? None other than the Philadelphia Flyers.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on his “32 Thoughts” podcast that he got the sense from around the league that the Habs were fielding calls on Xhekaj, and guessed that the Flyers were one of the teams calling. The Flyers already traded for one young, NHL-caliber defenseman this season in Jamie Drysdale, and a potential Arber Xhekaj trade is more realistic than we might think.
Why Arber Xhekaj Trade Makes Sense for Flyers
So, any Arber Xhekaj trade that goes down involving Philadelphia isn’t about the Flyers adding. In fact, we already know that they are looking to sell and will sell.
Head coach John Tortorella said so in an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia.
If the Flyers are to eventually move on from pending UFA Nick Seeler, Xhekaj would provide them with another physical, rugged left-shot defenseman with a willingness to fight.
Friedman already said that the Habs “said no” to any trade involving their 23-year-old pending RFA. That could change, but if it doesn’t, the Flyers would need to look elsewhere.
Another pending RFA, like 23-year-old San Jose Sharks defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk, might make sense. Henry Thrun is scheduled to hit free agency for the Sharks this summer as well.
Again, the links to the Flyers are speculation on the part of Friedman, but there is plenty of logic in this thought process. Xhekaj is a lunch pail guy who does fit the stereotypical Tortorella mold. And, if the Flyers want a long-term piece in the Seeler mold, that’s who Xhekaj is.
Nothing is imminent in the NHL trade world – at least yet – but plenty of stuff has been thrown out there already. It’s going to be a fun spring for the Flyers.
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