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\nKent Hughes passed on a move that could have replaced Arber Xhekaj
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Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n
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Photo credit: Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The Canadiens’ failure to add a new right-shot defenseman this summer wasn’t just about the price.<\/p>\n
It may also reveal how much confidence Kent Hughes has in Arber Xhekaj<\/a>.<\/p>\n And Kent Hughes didn’t force anything.<\/p>\n Brunet even suggested that the 2028 version of the Canadiens, once their competitive window is fully open, probably would have paid the premium.<\/p>\n Arpon Basu of The Athletic<\/a> offered a similar nuance: the urgency to add a right-shot defenseman was greater at the last trade deadline.This summer, it simply wasn’t a priority for the organization, which still strongly believes in the potential of David Reinbacher<\/a> and Arber Xhekaj.<\/p>\n Canadiens’ quiet summer on defense points to growing confidence in Arber Xhekaj<\/p>\n But there’s another angle worth considering.<\/p>\n Adding an established right-shot defenseman probably would have pushed Xhekaj out or into a reduced role.<\/p>\n The decision not to make a move at that position could also reflect genuine confidence in the rugged defenseman, despite his unresolved contract situation.<\/p>\n