GM Kent Hughes Exploring Trade Per Insider Pierre Lebrun: Are the Canadiens Really Trading Arber Xhekaj?
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently revealed that Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has been very active on the phones, and could be trading Arber Xhekaj shortly.
Fans, analysts, and journalists alike are frustrated with the underwhelming Montreal Canadiens season so far. More was expected of the club this year since leadership figures like Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton predicted the team would be "in the mix" this season. Well, after a lowly start of 2-4-1. well, it's pretty clear the Habs are anything but competitive, currently ranking bottom of the Atlantic Division. Things are getting tighter now, and the fans are getting a little restless with each loss.
The early struggles have given a sure signal that changes should be made and one of the names that continue to pop up in trade rumors is defenseman Arber Xhekaj. Xhekaj has become quite the asset with his physicality and grit on defense, but his potential trade value might just be what the Canadiens need to spark them out of their misfortunes. Having said that, Xhekaj has grown to be one of the fan favorites because of his toughness and heart; that said, the Habs might have a tough decision to make to shake things up. A trade involving Xhekaj could bring in a skilled forward or much-needed scoring depth, neither of which the current roster has inherited.
As head coach Martin St-Louis tries to shuffle his lines for chemistry, the onus is now on GM Kent Hughes to look at external solutions that could give the team a boost. Others, such as Pierre LeBrun, consider that early in the season, trades are few and far between because teams are still judging their rosters and their potential. Still, LeBrun states that Hughes has been unusually active in testing the waters by making multiple phone calls, according to various reports, suggesting the Canadiens want to be proactive before their season spirals out of control. That would be a pivotal moment in franchise history if they want to be competitive.
It appears as if Kent Hughes is shopping Arber Xhekaj, but not without being careful not to get in the way of the team's long-term blueprint. The Canadiens are seeking out a trade that could fix current issues without losing future flexibility or salary cap position. That's a difficult balance to want, and reportedly, Hughes is in constant contact with other GMs to find that deal, per Pierre LeBrun. By doing so, whatever deal they make needs to be done so that it won't hurt their rebuild or block any of the younger players coming through the system.
There's nothing close to a trade materializing yet, but Kent Hughes' phone lines are definitely running hot, and don't expect Arber Xhekaj's name to disappear from trade talk anytime soon as this season moves forward. It may take only a few days or weeks to see if the Canadiens are ready to pull the trigger on a deal that potentially can reshape their season. This can shift the momentum for the team and give the Habs that competitive edge they have been missing so far this year, once Hughes gets the right return.
