Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned, and Martin St-Louis could eventually have another blue-line decision on his hands in Montreal.
The 25-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent, with the Canadiens still holding his rights. No new contract has been announced as negotiations continue.
The situation picked up another layer when Jeff Marek discussed Xhekaj's future on the DFO Rundown and suggested Kent Hughes could explore the trade market.
Asked whether Montreal might consider moving Xhekaj, Marek's answer was clear: "I think the Canadiens are considering trading Arber Xhekaj."
That doesn't mean a deal is coming. The Canadiens haven't announced plans to move Xhekaj, and Marek presented the possibility as his read of the situation rather than an imminent transaction.
But Montreal's crowded blue line gives Hughes decisions to make. David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom are among the younger defensemen pushing toward larger roles.
Arber Xhekaj gives Kent Hughes a difficult choice
Xhekaj brings something different to that competition. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, his size and physical edge separate him from several of Montreal's other options.
He also took an unusual road to the NHL after going undrafted. That path, combined with his willingness to stand up for teammates, has helped make him a recognizable figure in Montreal.
His previous agreement carried a $1.3 million annual cap hit. Now Hughes must decide what Xhekaj's next contract should look like while weighing the depth already available to St-Louis.
A trade would create room for another defenseman, but moving Xhekaj would also remove a specific element from the lineup. Montreal doesn't have an abundance of players offering the same combination of size and physical play.
That's why the return would matter. Trading him simply to clear a roster spot would be much harder to defend than moving him for an asset Hughes believes improves the organization.
For now, there is no indication that a trade is close or that another club has emerged as a favorite. Contract talks remain part of the picture.
Marek's comments have still given the situation another dimension. Until Xhekaj signs or Montreal makes another move on the blue line, his future will remain one of the Canadiens' more interesting offseason files.
Should Kent Hughes trade Arber Xhekaj for the right return?
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