Analyst Proposes Packaging Arber Xhekaj to Land a Promising Second-Line Center
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The absence of Arber Xhekaj during the first two games of the series against the Washington Capitals caused a lot of chatter among Montreal Canadiens fans.
For many experts, the fact that Martin St-Louis didn't use him might be a sign that his time in Montreal is coming to an end.
Moreover, a radio host from the city believes that the sheriff could be used as bait by Kent Hughes to acquire the much-desired top-6 forward for the organization.
That's exactly what happened with Alexander Romanov.
Arber Xhekaj Possibly Traded in Return for a Second-Line Center?
On BPM Sports radio, Georges Laraque and Stéphane Gonzalez discussed Arber Xhekaj's future with the Canadiens, and Gonzo suggested that if he isn't being used properly, it might be better to trade him.
"Playing him as the seventh defenseman, he has value, and it's not the value of a seventh defenseman. Xhekaj has greater value than that.
You need a second-line center. I'm not saying I would trade him, but with that kind of usage..
The Montreal Canadiens will have to identify who they're going to sacrifice.
And that's the word, sacrifice, because to get good players, you have to give up good players.
Canadiens fans might be hurt at the draft, because you can't go get a second-line center without giving something up, and Xhekaj doesn't have the value of a second-line center on his own."
Stéphane Gonzalez
You need a second-line center. I'm not saying I would trade him, but with that kind of usage..
The Montreal Canadiens will have to identify who they're going to sacrifice.
And that's the word, sacrifice, because to get good players, you have to give up good players.
Canadiens fans might be hurt at the draft, because you can't go get a second-line center without giving something up, and Xhekaj doesn't have the value of a second-line center on his own."
Stéphane Gonzalez
It's clear that Xhekaj alone wouldn't be enough to land a top-6 forward, but he could be part of a package of players, picks, and prospects that Kent Hughes could put together to achieve his goal.
And you, what's your opinion on the matter?
One thing is certain, this aligns with the rumor launched by David Pagnotta last week, suggesting that Kent Hughes is being aggressive in trying to acquire a second-line forward, ideally a center.
Kent Hughes himself mentioned it: he would rather overpay to acquire a player via trade than overpay through free agency.
Could this involve Arber Xhekaj?
The option definitely seems to be on the table.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
| POLL | ||
MAI 11 | 2993 ANSWERS Analyst Proposes Packaging Arber Xhekaj to Land a Promising Second-Line Center Should the Canadiens Include Arber Xhekaj in a Trade to Acquire a Top-6 Forward? | ||
| Yes | 858 | 28.7 % |
| No | 2135 | 71.3 % |
| List of polls | ||