Arber Xhekaj’s Future With the Canadiens

As the Montreal Canadiens continue to push for a playoff berth, Arber Xhekaj has found himself a healthy scratch for the past two games, leaving many to wonder about his future with the team. With a couple of young prospects pushing for his spot on the roster, what does the future hold for the fan favourite?

Since Kaiden Guhle returned to the lineup on March 28, Xhekaj has been the odd man out. The 24-year-old defenseman only played 3:52 against the Carolina Hurricanes before being made a healthy scratch in both games against the Florida Panthers this week. Head coach Martin St-Louis even opted to play Michael Pezzetta on the fourth line to bring some physicality to the lineup.

Canadiens’ Blue Line Depth

There wouldn’t be a question about Xhekaj’s future if not for the organization’s depth on defense in the pipeline. With Guhle, Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier and Jayden Struble set to return and David Savard possibly signing on for another season, Xhekaj will be fighting for the sixth spot again next year. With one year left on his deal at $1.3 million, the Canadiens could also bring him back as the seventh defenseman.

The thing is, Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher will be pushing for a top-six spot on the blue line next season, while Adam Engstrom will also be fighting for a spot shortly. So, where does that leave Xhekaj?

Could the Canadiens Trade Xhekaj?

If Xhekaj doesn’t have a spot in Montreal next season, he could easily find a home elsewhere. A physical 6-foot-4 defenseman will generate some interest on the trade market, especially with over 160 NHL games of experience under his belt.

But what could the Habs get for Xhekaj? He is relatively young, and everyone knows what he brings to the ice. It’s rare to trade a young defenseman for just picks. In 2023, the Arizona Coyotes traded a second-round pick for Sean Durzi. Durzi had approximately the same amount of NHL experience but was a more productive defenseman and a former second-round pick with a higher projected ceiling. Realistically, the bleu-blanc-rouge would get a bit less than that – either a late second or third-round pick.

Could Xhekaj Play Forward?

If Xhekaj wants to transition to forward, the Canadiens might value his physical game enough to play him on the fourth line. Nicolas Deslauriers made the transition a couple of years ago. Originally drafted as a defenseman by the LA Kings, Deslauriers became a power forward before ultimately finding a role as a fourth-line enforcer for years.

As a fourth-liner, Xhekaj would bring his energy, especially during critical moments when the team might need a momentum shift or is facing off against a tough opponent. His ability to deliver big hits, mix it up physically, and defend his teammates could give the Habs a more intimidating presence. Upfront, he could motivate the top lines and help create a more well-rounded, balanced lineup.