Trade rumours swirl around unsigned Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj

Over a month into the offseason, Montreal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned.

The undrafted 25-year-old fan favourite had a cap hit of $US1.3 million last season. He’s a restricted free agent this year and next, before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028.

On paper, Xhekaj brings the sandpaper the Habs are looking for. But other teams are also looking to bulk up, according to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.

“There are other teams that have expressed over the last few weeks interest in trading for Arber Xhekaj,” Pagnotta told Daily Faceoff.

“Canadiens have valued him for some time and they haven’t pulled the trigger because A) they haven’t found a deal they want, because B) they want to keep the player.”

The latter may come to the surprise of Habs fans, who watched Xhekaj’s ice-time average dip to a career-low 11:25 in 65 games under coach Martin St. Louis last season. During Montreal’s run to the Eastern Conference final, he averaged only 8:06 in eight games.

He never seemed to have a firm grasp on a top-six role with the team. He scored one goal and had three assists during the regular season to go along with 116 penalty minutes. He added another goal in the playoffs.

All seven regular defencemen are set to return, with prospects David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom looking to make the leap as well.

Pagnotta noted the Philadelphia Flyers as a club possibly interested in Xhekaj’s services. This comes on the heels of the Calgary Flames being counted among potential Western Conference suitors for the six-foot-four, 240-pound blue liner’s services.

Unlike teammate Kirby Dach, Xhekaj didn’t file for arbitration, so there is no set end point for negotiations on a new deal.

Earlier in the offseason, offer sheets were looking to become all the rage, but in the end only Utah forward Barrett Hayton and Anaheim centre Leo Carlsson took the plunge. Both had their offers matched by their original teams, so they’re staying put.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has been quick to lock up core pieces long term, with Ivan Demidov being the latest (and likely last) to join the eight-year extension club alongside Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson. On Sept. 16, the next collective bargaining agreement kicks in, capping deals at seven years.

And Xhekaj isn’t the only roster player without a contract for next season. Forward Zachary Bolduc is also a restricted free agent after a 12-goal, 30-point sophomore season.

Neither the club nor the player appear to be sweating the details. The team included Xhekaj, along with brother Florian, in their round-up of Habs’ summer moments. The brothers joined alumnus Chris Nilan for his charity golf classic on earlier this month at Summerlea golf club in Vaudreuil.

In August, Arber will be in Newfoundland for teammate Alex Newhook’s golf tourney.

Meanwhile, an X user shared video of Xhekaj enjoying a carefree summer.