Source Reveals the Only Condition Canadiens Would Agree to Trade Arber Xhekaj
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The excellent Brian Wilde has just revealed some interesting information about Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
It's interesting, because there aren't really many trade rumors involving Xhekaj right now, for obvious reasons, but Wilde still addressed the matter.
Needless to say, the Canadiens currently have 8 defensemen for 6 regular spots, so decisions will eventually have to be made-especially once David Reinbacher is 100% ready.
What is Arber Xhekaj worth on the NHL trade market?
On Tony Marinaro's Sick Podcast, Wilde stated very clearly that for Arber Xhekaj, the only thing Kent Hughes would accept is a first-round pick.
"Trading Arber Xhekaj would very likely come back to haunt the Habs.."
"I'm going to say the market for him is a 2nd round draft pick, but they're not trading him because he's a unicorn"
- Brian Wilde
"I'm going to say the market for him is a 2nd round draft pick, but they're not trading him because he's a unicorn"
- Brian Wilde
The expert went on to say that the Canadiens' management knows very well that Xhekaj is a special, unique player, and they see absolutely no reason to trade him for anything less than a first-round pick.
The Canadiens already have plenty of 2nd- and 3rd-round picks in Montreal.
"And Wilde raises another good point: in Montreal, Xhekaj's case goes beyond hockey plans.
We're talking about a guy who is extremely popular in the city, and trading him away for next to nothing would likely frustrate the fans more than anything else."
- Félix Forget
We're talking about a guy who is extremely popular in the city, and trading him away for next to nothing would likely frustrate the fans more than anything else."
- Félix Forget
That's indeed a very good point, and it's something that weighs heavily when it comes time for Kent Hughes to evaluate a trade offer for Arber Xhekaj (coming from another team).
And you, would you trade Arber Xhekaj for a first-round pick from a competitive team?
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