Analyst Suggests Blockbuster Trade Sending Arber Xhekaj to The Rangers
An analyst suggested a blockbuster trade sending the Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj to the New York Rangers.
Both the Canadiens and the Rangers seem poised to make changes this season. Montreal are struggling, with a 7-11-3 record, despite announcing they wanted to be in the playoff mix this year, and the Rangers aren't able to keep the rhythm of the previous season when they won a Presidents' Trophy, currently 4th in the Metropolitan Division with a 12-7-1 record.
The former NHL goaltender Martin Biron, who's now an analyst, revealed that the two teams should make a deal involving Arber Xhekaj for either Jacob Trouba or Chris Kreider.
At first glance, it doesn't make much sense for the Rangers. They already have Matt Rempe and many other physical players. There would be very little to gain from adding Xhekaj, a tough player who's been showing gaps in his defensive game, to their lineup.
However, the Canadiens could benefit a lot from that deal. Indeed, with multiple reports confirming Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider are on the trade block, Kent Hughes and former Rangers GM Jeff Gorton could be tempted to acquire one of them.
Trouba could bring exactly what the Canadiens need at the blue line: some energy and defensive reliability.
As for Kreider, he would bring offensive talent, to the team. But let's be honest, Habs fans haven't forgotten when he "fell" skates first on Carey Price in game one of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. To this day, he's still not liked in the Bell Center.
We can't imagine the Habs management agreeing on such a trade, especially with Xhekaj playing well in the last few weeks.
In addition, the Habs already refused a big trade offer for Xhekaj. Why would the Habs settle on Trouba or Kreider, two veterans nearing retirement?
But that doesn't mean none of these players won't be traded at some point this season.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 27 | 169 ANSWERS Analyst Suggests Blockbuster Trade Sending Arber Xhekaj to The Rangers Do you think the Montreal Canadiens would make a mistake by trading Arber Xhekaj? | ||
| Yes | 113 | 66.9 % |
| No | 56 | 33.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
