Arber
According to Martin Biron, the Montreal Canadiens should seriously consider sending Xhekaj to the New York Rangers in exchange for captain Jacob Trouba, but on one condition: that Trouba arrives with part of his salary retained, at an annual cost of 5 million of dollars.
“At 5 million, Trouba will play in my top 4. He will hit, I’m not asking him to score 50 or 60 points per year. I just want him to be physical and give me a stable defensive contribution”declared the former goalkeeper on BPM SPorts.
With this vision Trouba, known for his robust style and his imposing presence on the ice, could respond to a glaring need for the Canadian: a more experienced and reliable defense.
The analyst does not hide his enthusiasm for such a trade, specifying that the price to pay to acquire Trouba could include Arber Xhekaj and an additional prospect.
“If Rangers ask me for Xhekaj and another prospect, I’ll do it tomorrow morning”he added, insisting that he considers Trouba as a potential leader to stabilize the Montreal defense.
Arber Xhekaj quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his physical style of play and ability to intimidate opponents.
However, we have to face reality: he will never be more than a 6th-7th defender in Montreal.
He remains a young defender still developing, with gaps to fill defensively and tactically. As for his HOCKEY IQ, he will never be able to improve it.
He’s not the sharpest pencil in the box on the ice.
For the Rangers, the addition of Xhekaj could inject a dose of youth and robustness into their defensive brigade, while allowing them to get rid of a contract deemed too heavy by retaining part of Trouba’s salary.
The Rangers lack stamina according to the New York media. Let’s say that with Xhekaj, they would add masculine power in the bedroom.
Jacob Trouba, meanwhile, is an experienced defenseman, but his $8 million per year contract until 2026 makes him a burden for the Rangers.
With his partial no-trade clause, the defenseman has control over his destination, but the idea of playing in a market like Montreal and for Martin St-Louis could appeal to this veteran with an intense style of play.
His wife is a doctor in New York. And that’s why he refused to go to Detroit or Buffalo by waiving his no-trade clause this summer.
Would he agree to lift it for Montreal?
At 5 million, as proposed by Biron, Trouba could become an interesting acquisition for the Canadian, especially with the prospect of a more experienced blue line to supervise young people like Lane Hutson and especially Logan Mailloux, who seems to lack a real big brother in Montreal.
Everyone praises David Savard, but he has in no way taken Mailloux under his wing.
The price mentioned, that is, Xhekaj and a hope, however, gives rise to debate. If Xhekaj is a player appreciated by fans, his value on the market is still difficult to assess.
Some might consider that such an exchange represents a risk for the Canadian, who sacrifices part of his future for a player who, at 30 years old, is no longer at the peak of his career.
For Kent Hughes, the million-dollar question is this: is the Canadiens willing to sacrifice a popular young player like Xhekaj to add experience in the short term?
While the team is still rebuilding, such a move could send a clear message: the Habs want to accelerate their return to competition.
Martin St-Louis is fed up with rumors of dismissal. And he wants his CEO to help him.
The fact that Trouba could immediately strengthen the Canadiens’ defense while providing leadership in the locker room makes this idea attractive.
Arber Xhekaj flying to New York in exchange for Jacob Trouba?
This scenario, which is Martin St-Louis’ dream because he has always had Xhekaj in his niche, would be a real media bomb in Montreal.
If Trouba agrees to play in Montreal and the Rangers agree to retain part of his salary, this transaction could be a masterstroke for Kent Hughes.
Or a real disaster. Because CH fans will be so furious if Xhekaj is traded.
For the moment, the debate remains open, but one thing is certain: the future of Xhekaj, just like that of Trouba, could experience a decisive turning point in the weeks to come.
And for the young Montreal defender, the idea of wearing a Rangers jersey could literally become a New York dream.
Let’s say that being in Manhattan, far from Martin St-Louis, his worst nightmare, would be an easy pill to swallow for the young defender.
And he would no longer have to be afraid of fighting Matt Rempe.
The dream of St-Louis…the end of Xhekaj’s nightmare…Jacob Trouba in Montreal…
Yes…it would be quite a shock in Montreal…
