The Canadiens defenseman still drawing trade interest

The Montreal Canadiens have assembled one of the deepest blue lines in the National Hockey League, and that depth could soon come at a cost.

Arber Xhekaj, who suited up for 65 games for the Habs in the 2025-26 regular season — and another 13 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs — is reportedly drawing trade interest, as first reported by The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta earlier this month.

Pagnotta appeared on the Leafs Morning Take podcast and said that more than one team have expressed interest in the hard-nosed rearguard.

“Some teams have been calling about Arber Xhekaj,” the hockey insider said.

That sentiment was echoed by TVA Sports on Monday.

The Canadiens currently have six NHL-ready defensemen under contract for the 2026-27 campaign: Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Alexandre Carrier and Jayden Struble.

The organization also has top prospects pushing for NHL jobs, including 2023 fifth-overall pick David Reinbacher and 2022 third-rounder Adam Engstrom.

Xhekaj is a restricted free agent, as has been the case since July 1. He is eligible for an offer sheet, as he didn’t exercise his right to salary arbitration. He just played out the final campaign of a two-year, $2.60 million contract he signed back in July of 2024.

The 25-year-old is one of the toughest players in the National Hockey League, but offense has never been his calling card. He recorded just four points in 65 regular-season games before adding a goal and an assist during Montreal’s playoff run.

The 6-foot-4 blueliner originally went undrafted after finishing junior hockey by winning the Ontario Hockey League championship with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2021-22.

He was signed by the Canadiens as a free agent, and has been with the organization ever since. Overall, he’s recorded 10 goals and 33 points in 230 games, along with 416 penalty minutes.

Xhekaj led the Canadiens with 178 hits in the regular season, and posted a plus-five rating during Montreal’s playoff run. Despite his offensive inefficiencies, he’s a young, physical left-shot defender who could probably earn more playing time elsewhere.

The Canadiens are not under pressure to move out money — they have nearly $14 million in cap space — but general manager Kent Hughes still has holes to fill.

If the Canadiens can turn their defensive surplus into help elsewhere, it wouldn’t be surprising if his name resurfaces in trade talks before training camp.