Montreal Canadiens insider hints at possible sign-and-trade before key September deadline

Arber Xhekaj's future in Montreal is suddenly a lot murkier.

The physical, fan favorite defenseman still hasn't signed a new contract, and according to Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette, that isn't just a coincidence.

Cowan floated the idea this week that Xhekaj, along with restricted free agent Zachary Bolduc, could be dealt away as part of a sign-and-trade before the September 16 deadline, when new CBA rules change how long-term deals can be structured.

The Canadiens have already run this exact playbook before.

Last summer, Noah Dobson agreed to an eight year, $76 million offer sheet as a restricted free agent before Montreal worked out a trade with the Islanders to bring him aboard.

Cowan sees the parallels here, and with general manager Kent Hughes still hunting for a right-shot veteran defenseman, it's easy to see why Xhekaj's name keeps coming up.

The tape backs up the concern too.

Xhekaj played 65 games last season but averaged the fewest minutes of any Canadiens defenseman at 11:25 a night, and that number shrank even further in the playoffs down to 8:05.

With Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle and Jayden Struble already entrenched on the left side, and prospect Adam Engstrom pushing for a job, ice time was always going to be tight for Xhekaj.

Xhekaj hasn't lacked for suitors.

Multiple teams reportedly checked in on his availability earlier this summer, and while Hughes hasn't been actively shopping him, the door doesn't appear closed either.

For a player who has built his reputation on grit and physicality, the next few weeks could determine whether he's suiting up in Montreal this October or somewhere else entirely.

Also read on House Of Hockey :
Sportsnet ends yet another beloved Hockey Night in Canada tradition after 18 seasons