Overview
- This week Xhekaj is still an unsigned restricted free agent and his agent says negotiations are calm with no arbitration filed and no urgent deadline.
- Multiple outlets linked the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers to Xhekaj, with reports saying Calgary showed interest around the trade deadline and both teams have kept tabs on him this summer.
- The Canadiens have salary cap room but a crowded defence corps that includes prospects David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom, which gives general manager Kent Hughes leverage in talks or trade talks.
- Xhekaj led Montreal in hits but had a career-low average ice time near 11:25 in 2025–26 and saw limited playoff use, including being scratched in the conference final, making his on-ice value hard to price.
- Montreal has so far preferred to keep Xhekaj and has not pushed a trade but his unsigned status will likely keep his name in rumors and could produce a premium return if the club decides to move him before camp.