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Arber Xhekaj continues to generate interest around the NHL, with reports suggesting several teams have been checking in on the rugged Canadiens defenseman. But should Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton even consider moving one of the most unique players in the organization?
On today’s Starr & D’Amico Show, we break down the trade speculation surrounding Xhekaj and debate whether dealing him would actually make the Montreal Canadiens a better team—or create a hole that’s much harder to fill.
We discuss:
Why NHL teams value Arber Xhekaj so highly
Does Xhekaj still fit into Montreal’s long-term plans?
What kind of return would it take to justify a trade?
Are the Canadiens better off keeping “The Sheriff”?
How Xhekaj fits alongside the Habs’ young defensive core
Your thoughts and trade proposals live in the chat!
Would you trade Arber Xhekaj, or is he untouchable? Let us know in the comments!
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As you said in the playoff, we are talking about keeping or trading a 6-7 defender. Its not that its unimportant but… anyways at this point they should keep him just because he can defend his teamates
This team is undersized and getting mauled but you want to give away the only really intimidating athlete on the roster ?
I am not in the Arber Xhekaj cult! Yes, the Habs should be listening to offers.
Arber brings strength to the Habs on a team with soft and small forwards. I love this guy he plays with conviction and heart they would be crazy to loose him…..just give him equal ice time to improve his game
Trading Kovacevic was dumb, trading Arber would be dumber
Extending Matheson & by effect blocking Arber / Struble & Engstrom… not the right play in my book
Hutson & Ghule better top 4 LHD
Already have 2 puck movers on top 4 in Hutson & Dobson no need for a 3rd
The math is simple, move out Matheson
Don’t bring up Matheson’s veteran leadership, he’s no Savard or Weber, he’s a chaos gazelle, the room is full of good leaders and ones that actually bring consistency, the room survived losing Price, Weber, Savard, Armia, Dvorak, Gally, the culture is fine
As for his Defensive acumen, overrated and overused
27 mins a night, most used D in defensive situations and almost every second of every PK = 5th worst team defensively in the league
The team has gotten better over the last 4 seasons and he has gotten worst like clock work but don’t take it from me go look at his analytics
Worst signing Hughes has made so far was giving him 3 years of trading protection , the dollar amount is fine but to me Ghule should be on top 4 and Matheson by default on 3rd pair, but at 6.0 little to no grit, poor net front battles, loses more puck battles than he wins, is horrible at holding the ozone blueline, 80% of his shots get blocked by closest shinguards, 12% are insane lasers that go 3’ wide of the net, 7% are muffins that hit the goalie’s crest and the 1% are beauty top corner goals
Honestly give me Arber on bottom pair
Get Matheson outta here
Hey Shawn, don't take this the wrong way. I'm genuinely curious/worried.
Is everything okay with you? Looks like you lost alot of weight, look kind of tired.
Hope all is well with your health bud.
If all is good, then you my friend are a unicorn because the camera doesn't seem to add 10 pounds in your case 😉
Do NOT trade Arby. We will need that size and grit in the playoffs. If we lose him it'll come back to haunt us.
I’m curious to know if the new Assitant coach can get more out of Arber than they’ve tried recently. Maybe PK training? He’s got a wicked shot too!
One of the Montreal Canadiens biggest deficiencies: a 2 decade long issue with undersized teams that get outmuscled…our last 2 playoff exits we were physically steamrolled
Solution: let's trade the 6'4/240 guy that hits and fights
Matheson should be the 7th defenseman. Arber is the guy we need.
Trade Arber. Lose all your fans. Not a good business decision. Sounds like something the Leafs would do.
Arber is a AHL defensemen once the rest of the prospects develop. You cannot have a player that cannot be trusted to play in the playoff more than 8 minutes, it makes the rest of the team play too many minutes just to cover the fact that ne is not fat enough, cannot play in his own zone and takes too many penalties
What made me upset for wifi is yes, of course msl doesnt really give him a solid chance and 2) the refs dont let him play, theyre ALWAYS on his case and give him horseshit penalties. I hope he stays in mtl 🙌🏽
With the new assistant coach who stresses defense, perhaps Arber will improve.
if were getting something good please trade, if its just a draft pick trade. unless its 1st round pick which is highly unlikely
It was a bad idea for sheriff not to go to arbitration because it's very clear his only value to the organization is what they can get for him
Keep Arber and trade Marty.
Other teams seem intelligent enough to want Arber…. they have valid reasons.
Hopefully, Ken & Marty will catch on to this… and not when Arber is on ice playing against Montreal….
I wouldn't trade Arber until seeing what Lalonde can do with him.
Keep the sheriff. Every team needs a Arber. He’s a rare breed
I want to see both Dach and Arby in the lineup in September. For Xhekaj, with Lalonde coming in I wonder if he might see something in Xhekaj that MSL doesn't.
There will be Montreal defensemen traded….
But it won't be Arber….
Stays with Habs
Keep. He still has some potential and come playoff time can play against teams like Florida and Buffalo
Apart Lane I'd trade any left D to keep Arbor
The only person who doesn’t know what they have in Arber is Marty.