Geoff Molson makes Canadiens' stance clear on Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc

He called both players important pieces as training camp nears with no deals in place.

Geoff Molson doesn't usually wade into contract talk this directly, which is exactly why his latest comments landed the way they did.

With training camp closing in and two of Montreal's most talked about young players still without deals, the owner decided it was time to speak up himself instead of leaving it to Kent Hughes to answer every question at the podium.

Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc have been the subject of nonstop speculation for weeks.

Xhekaj in particular has been floated in trade rumors after a quiet offensive season, even though his physical presence on the blue line is something few other Canadiens defensemen bring.

Bolduc, meanwhile, has quietly become a name people expect to take a real step forward this year.

Neither has an offer sheet on the table, and neither has signed for arbitration, which has only added fuel to the rumor mill.

Speaking with Radio-Canada Sports, Molson didn't dodge the topic.

He made it clear ownership sees both players as central to what the Canadiens are building, and that the front office is actively pushing to get pen to paper before the season starts.

It was about as direct as an owner gets without naming numbers.

That kind of public reassurance matters in Montreal, where every unsigned RFA becomes a storyline of its own by September.

Molson's comments don't guarantee anything gets done tomorrow, but they do suggest the organization isn't shopping either player around behind the scenes.

With the CBA changes arriving September 16, there's a real deadline pressure building.

Hughes still has work to do, but for now, the message from the top is unmistakable.

Montreal wants to keep both of them.

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