The Montreal Canadiens could have some decisions to make next season as David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux make their case to join the team full-time. If the Canadiens can get one of those righties into the fold, it'll move Kaiden Guhle to the left side and Arber Xhekaj out of the lineup. Montreal wasn't afraid to move some defensemen last season to improve their roster, and they could do it again this offseason.
Denis Gauthier joined The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, and the pair discussed the possibility of Xhekaj being available for trade this offseason. He played only three games in the postseason, which could show that he is already on the outside looking in for next season.
"He has a certain value around the league. I don't think he's going to be a guy the Canadiens trade one and one for another player. I think he's going to be a interesting throw-in on a way bigger deal. That's what I think. If they try to make a deal for a second-line center and the other team wants Mailloux or Reinbacher as a key piece, the Canadiens might throw in Xhekaj to close the deal for a stud defenseman or No. 2 center. "Denis Gauthier
Many Canadiens fans will argue that the Canadiens need a player like Xhekaj in the lineup to play playoff hockey against some of the more physical teams. However, the Washington Capitals advanced to the second round and got ran over by a Carolina Hurricanes team that doesn't really have that element in their lineup.
"I don't think you're going to get a first rounder for him. I don't think you're going to get a top-four defenseman for him. He does something and has something. He has an aura. He sweetens the pot very well for a bigger deal. "Denis Gauthier
It might be time to strike a deal for Xhekaj before he is out of the lineup and his value plummets. Laval has plenty of replacements, and the league is going toward a faster, more dynamic element. Maybe Xhekaj should've been in the lineup for the entire first-round series this year as the younger players were pushed around, but as the Canadiens develop, Xhekaj might not be a player they need.