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David Pagnotta: Teams continue to call for Arber Xhekaj

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated 5/12/24

Over the past year, Arber Xhekaj has found himself – in spite of himself – in a number of trade rumors.

Some teams called Kent Hughes to inquire about the defenseman’s availability…

But the Habs’ GM never wanted to trade him.

Just because we don’t hear these rumours anymore doesn’t mean that interest in Xhekaj has waned across the league.

At least, that’s what you might think when you read this sentence, in David Pagnotta’s latest article:

Just this week, teams called the Montreal Canadiens about defenseman Arber Xhekaj, but Tricolore general manager Kent Hughes isn’t interested in trading him. – David Pagnotta

Pagnotta goes on to say that the Habs GM is ready to trade another of his defensemen…

Which leads us to believe that, in Hughes’ eyes, Xhekaj is untouchable :

My latest on the #LeafsForever, next coach, summer changes & which of their Core 4 could be moved. Plus, I hit on:
– Teams still calling #GoHabsGo on Xhekaj
– % of #Flames for sale
– Interest in #GoJetsGo Perfetti
– #VegasBorn #GoKingsGo #NJDevils & Utah https://t.co/n3aoYQttBb

– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 12, 2024

Kent Hughes seems to really like Xhekaj… And that makes sense.

However, there are two questions I have about all this.

We know that Xhekaj has had two serious shoulder injuries.

That said… Could the Habs be worried about his future in the NHL if he re-injures his shoulder?

And if so, might Kent Hughes be inclined to trade him to maximize his value before it’s “too late”?

Arber Xhekaj has proven that he can be useful to an NHL team because he commands respect on the ice.

We’ve seen how good he is at his best… And that explains why the Habs believe in him so much.

There may be congestion on the blue line, but few defensemen have the impact of Xhekaj in the line-up.

That’s why, in my eyes… The Habs need to take advantage of him as much as possible, even if his value seems to be quite high.

In bursts

– He looks happy to be here!

Team Canada Captain, John Tavares on joining the team in Prague after the Maple Leafs’ first-round exit. #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/BZ4OjXFzQ9

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 12, 2024

– I love his attitude.

“It’s going to be a dog fight. One bowl of food and two dogs competing with each other. They know it’ll be hell to come back here. We want to put the pressure on them.”
Evgeny Kuznetsov with a movie trailer level quote #CauseChaos pic.twitter.com/xpBJg8YZHN

– Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) May 12, 2024

– He wants to be ready for next season.

Lane Hutson is already back to training in his off-season pic.twitter.com/8Iogzww4hX

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 12, 2024

– It would make sense.

Capitals reportedly may try to sign Ryan Leonard again this summer if Will Smith leaves for Sharks https://t.co/QZSnRygreo

– RMNB (@rmnb) May 12, 2024

– Small changes for the Oilers:

Henrique out, Brown in for #LetsGoOilers.
Knoblauch also says Draisaitl will be playing both LW & C tonight depending on how #Canucks adjust. @TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/SkcCfYCNVN

– Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) May 12, 2024

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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