We mentioned earlier today that since the Canadiens demoted defenseman Arber Xhekaj to the Laval Rocket, rumors have been relentless regarding whether he is on the trade market. Jayden Struble seems to have taken his spot in Montreal, and Xhekaj still holds significant value.
Maple Leafs fans envision him in their lineup and would love for Brad Treliving, their GM, to acquire him. However, Kent Hughes would never do that. If he trades Xhekaj, it certainly won't be to a division rival.
The Maple Leafs received some very bad news in the last minutes, learning that defenseman John Klingberg will miss the rest of the season due to hip surgery. The Leafs are already without Mark Giordano and Timothy Liljegren for an indefinite period. In short, things are not going well.
In conclusion, nothing is confirmed, but it's certain that we should keep an eye on the Maple Leafs because they will undoubtedly make a move for a defenseman, whether it's with the Canadiens or not.