Under the dazzling lights of the Bell Centre, the roar of celebration barely faded before whispers of change began to swirl through the corridors. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble, arms raised in victory after toppling the Toronto Maple Leafs, may have unknowingly marked the beginning of a seismic shift in Montreal’s hockey landscape. As the holiday roster freeze looms and the NHL trade market explodes with activity, the fate of the Canadiens’ blue line hangs in the balance—and three names are suddenly at the heart of the storm.

It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes intrigue that turns casual fans into obsessive refreshers of trade trackers. Kent Hughes, Montreal’s ever-calculating general manager, is reportedly working the phones with an urgency that signals more than just routine roster tinkering. The Canadiens, desperate to bolster their lineup and avoid slipping behind in the standings, are seeing credible reports emerge by the hour: Laurent Brossoit, the towering Blackhawks goaltender, is available for a song; Zachary Bolduc is being linked to the Vancouver Canucks after their scouts were spotted at a recent Montreal-Ottawa matchup; and rumors of a player swap involving Kiefer Sherwood are heating up.

But the real shock comes from within. According to respected insider Marco D’Amico, three Montreal defenders—Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and Adam Engstrom—have become the targets of intense interest across the league. It’s a revelation that’s sending shockwaves through the fanbase. Xhekaj, the 6-foot-4 enforcer with 49 penalty minutes and a reputation for physical dominance, is suddenly a coveted asset despite his modest stat line. Struble, equally rugged and just as young, is drawing attention for his blend of grit and untapped potential. And Engstrom, the 22-year-old with only two NHL games but a promising AHL résumé, has quietly entered the conversation as a sleeper pick for rebuilding teams.

Why the sudden frenzy? The answer lies in the delicate balance between risk and reward. Hughes knows that if a can’t-miss top-six forward or a game-changing goalie becomes available, these three defenders could be the keys to unlocking a blockbuster deal—just as the Canadiens swung for the fences last summer with Noah Dobson. The assets are there, and the market is watching.

Yet, as the trade chatter intensifies, so does the uncertainty. What would losing Xhekaj’s muscle mean for Montreal’s defensive identity? Could Struble blossom elsewhere and haunt the Canadiens with his development? Is Engstrom the kind of prospect who could explode if given the right opportunity? The stakes are enormous, and the possibilities endless.

As the holiday roster freeze approaches, the question isn’t just who will leave or arrive—it’s whether Kent Hughes is willing to gamble the future for immediate results. Will Montreal fans witness a blockbuster that redefines the season, or will these names remain tantalizing rumors, destined to fuel speculation for months to come?

Keep reading, because the Canadiens’ next move could send shockwaves through the NHL, and the true story is only just beginning.

Nov 22, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) and teammate defenseman Jayden Struble (47) celebrate the win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Visibly, there is starting to be quite a bit of action on the NHL trade market as the Holiday roster freeze approaches.

Kent Hughes is actively exploring ways to strengthen his roster, and credible reports are starting to emerge. As noted earlier, Blackhawks goaltender Laurent Brossoit is reportedly available at a minimal acquisition cost.

Another rumour making the rounds links Zachary Bolduc to the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver scouted the Montreal-Ottawa game, and with the Canadiens reportedly interested in forward Kiefer Sherwood, a potential player swap is now part of the discussion.

In short, things are picking up and several names are circulating.

Marco D’Amico names three Montreal Canadiens players who are drawing interest on the trade market

Here are three players who are in demand, if Kent Hughes wants to complete a trade, notably to add reinforcements up front or in goal.

“There are teams that have significant appreciation for Xhekaj, some for Struble, and some for Engstrom. So, if ever a can’t-miss top-six player does become available, and the Canadiens want to make a big swing, as they did this summer with Noah Dobson, they’ll have the assets to do so.

– Marco D’Amico, RG

Interesting!

Xhekaj, 24 years old, is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defenseman who has one point in 24 games this season, with 49 penalty minutes and a minus-6 rating.

Struble, 24 years old, is a 6-foot, 207-pound defenseman who has four points in 21 games this season, with 34 penalty minutes and a minus-6 rating.

Engstrom, 22 years old, is a 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman who has zero points in two NHL games this season, and 14 points in 18 games in the American Hockey League.