Arber Xhekaj is entering Martin St-Louis' camp with a new question hanging over his place on Montreal's crowded blue line.
Jeff Marek raised the issue while discussing Xhekaj's future, suggesting the type of toughness he provides may now be closer to a luxury item for the Canadiens.
That's a notable description because Xhekaj's identity has always separated him from Montreal's other defensemen. His physical presence gives the lineup an element that isn't easily duplicated.
But roster construction changes the equation. Montreal has young defensemen pushing for responsibility, and every spot on the blue line comes with decisions about puck movement, special teams and overall deployment.
If the Canadiens believe they can replace enough of Xhekaj's defensive minutes internally, his unique physical edge becomes something management has to weigh against other roster needs.
That doesn't mean Montreal has decided to trade him. Marek's comment was an assessment of where Xhekaj fits, not a report that a transaction is close.
"Jeff Marek: Re Arber Xhekaj future/Canadiens: It's almost as if that type of toughness in that position has kind of become a luxury item in some ways for the Canadiens - DFO Rundown (8/4) "
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Arber Xhekaj's future in doubt as Canadiens face difficult roster decision
That distinction is exactly why his situation is interesting. A player can still help a team while becoming more expendable because the roster around him has changed.
For St-Louis, the decision will ultimately come through deployment. If Xhekaj earns steady minutes and shows he can handle more than a specialist role, the argument for keeping him becomes much stronger.
The Canadiens also don't need to move him simply because other defensemen are available. Depth on the blue line disappears quickly once injuries, slumps and lineup changes arrive.
But Marek's wording captures the pressure. Montreal may no longer need Xhekaj's specific identity badly enough to guarantee him a permanent place regardless of the competition around him.
That could make his name interesting to teams looking for size and a harder defensive presence, especially if Montreal sees an opportunity to turn blue-line depth into help elsewhere.
The next camp matters for that reason. Xhekaj isn't only competing for ice time; he's showing the Canadiens whether his package still fills a need they consider essential.
Montreal once valued what made him different. The question now is whether different is still enough when the organization has more options and bigger decisions to make.
Should Montreal trade Arber Xhekaj if his toughness is now considered a luxury?
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