Friedman Drops a Bombshell on the Montreal Canadiens: Arber Xhekaj Was in Trade Talks For a Recent Top-5 Pick
Arber Xhekaj's future with the Montreal Canadiens appeared uncertain following his assignment to the AHL. Recently, NHL expert Elliotte Friedman hinted in his podcast "32 Thoughts" that Xhekaj might have been close to being exchanged for another prominent young player.
Speculation of Xhekaj's Near Trade by Friedman
In his podcast, Friedman discussed Arber Xhekaj, noting that multiple teams have expressed interest in him. He speculated that the Philadelphia Flyers could have been involved in a potential trade, possibly for Cutter Gauthier.
Discussing potential interest in Xhekaj on his podcast (32TP), Friedman said: "It's plausible that Philly was one of these teams. While I'm not certain if it involved (Cutter) Gauthier or a different scenario, it seems like a logical fit. If Xhekaj is looking beyond Montreal, he'd be an ideal match for the Flyers."
Although Friedman wasn't certain about a deal involving Gauthier, he pointed out that Xhekaj is a highly coveted prospect. He also mentioned that Xhekaj's style aligns with the type of player the Flyers are seeking. Nonetheless, Friedman expressed doubts about Xhekaj being traded.
Friedman Believes Xhekaj Will Remain With Canadiens
Further discussing the situation, Friedman focused on the Montreal Canadiens' stance. He emphasized that the team has repeatedly stated their intention not to trade Xhekaj.
Friedman reiterates, the Canadiens have informed teams that they are not looking to trade him.
Reinforcing their stance, the Canadiens recently recalled Xhekaj from the AHL, where he had been showing impressive offensive skills.
With Xhekaj's return to the NHL, it will be interesting to observe if he can replicate his AHL offensive achievements with the Canadiens.
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