Montreal Canadiens weigh options for RFA defenseman Arber Xhekaj

Restricted‑free‑agent defenseman Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned after his two‑year, $2.6 million deal expired. Montreal officials cite a lack of fit on the blue line rather than salary as the main obstacle, noting his average ice time fell to a career low of 11:25 minutes last season.

Trade interest has surfaced from the Philadelphia Flyers, who have pursued Xhekaj for years, and the Calgary Flames. The Flyers, in particular, have been linked to a potential swap involving right‑shot defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, with reports that Montreal would require a first‑round pick for the exchange. The Canadiens have not executed a trade, saying they have not received a satisfactory return and still want to retain the player.

Analysts point out that Xhekaj was used as a physical option during the playoffs, highlighting his limited but impactful minutes. Fans and commentators argue the team should give him a larger role in the upcoming season, while contract negotiations continue into the summer.