Sorry bud, Xhekaj isn't available

Three of your top 6 future assets for a collection of fillers?

Poor strategy, if you ask me.

That’s way too many left D. Highly recommend definitely trying some on the right side.

If this is prepping to goon it up to scare the Sens next season, just know that it won't work. Ottawa hasn't lost to the Habs in like 2 years

Lmaoo you wishhh

LMFAO. For Knie, Cowan and a 1st Xhekaj isn’t available? This is the most ridiculous deal I’ve seen in a while and some Habs fans are rejecting this deal

Savard for a first, A Xhekaj for Cowan. Ain’t no way F Xhekaj, Pezzetta and 2 picks get Knies.

My proposal to make this deal fair. Remove Knies and the picks from Mtl and add a fourth from Toronto

We aren't dealing Cowan + a 1st for Pezzetta, both Xhekaj, and a 33-year old Savard. We really don't need Xhexaj with Benoit, Savard would be a decent addition but with the 1st there are better players to target (Tanev, Ferraro, Walker, Larsson)

This is a legit question, because I truly don't understand. What is with Montreal fans' obsession of Xhekaj? I've seen him play about half dozen times, and other than being a beast, I don't see anything special there. He's a projected third pairing defensemen who is tough. Do people think he's going to develop the same way that Dustin Byfuglien did? What am I missing?

You are a Toronto and Vancouver fan.

You don't understand loyalty or what it's like to be a fan. You are hated by everyone. Just give up.

Personally, I think that Xhekaj is coveted by us Habs fans because he brings an element of toughness that Montreal really needs (and cannot easily replace), plus he can play decently well for an enforcer (skates pretty well for his size, has a good shot and a bit of offensive talent-- not a Norris candidate by any means). I would not say that he is untouchable or that he will develop into a Byfuglien type (but who knows, sometimes those guys come out of left field and have very good careers), but a trade would have to involve a fairly good piece coming back to Montreal.

I think the value he adds to a playoff team is that his type of game is very well suited for the playoffs (although he does take bad penalties at times).

I find it hard to believe that another team would offer up what Kent Hughes may want for him, because of his value to the Habs, but I imagine there is a package of players out there that would work if Montreal wanted to do so,

To answer your legit question, as noted, he provides the toughness and beastliness that's been missing. That said, it looks like his confidence has dropped a bit this year, but he still is good at getting shots through and transitioning the puck well, via breakouts or neutral zone transitions. He definitely lacks speed and his positioning needs some work as I feel he chases the play too much and seems to focus too much on where he is now vs where he should be next, which allows for plays against him to unfold. I love him as I think there's room to grow, but with the possible talent in the pipeline, he needs to REALLY improve these downfalls. I think what you'll find with us fans is that it's exciting to have that grit on the team. It's a part of hockey that many enjoy and the next toughest guys are Pezzetta and Anderson.

Thanks for the responses here guys, although that leave me with a couple follow up questions (remember, these are legit questions, I'm not trolling):
1. There are a lot of skilled tough guy, and even more who lack high end skills but are tough. When I've seen Xhekaj, he is...at best...neutral on the ice, but quite often a liability. I just feel that there are so many more talented/tough options out there.
2. The game has changed. It has wholly changed. Tough guys (goons) aren't appreciated anymore. To quote that talentless bag of cement - Ryan Reaves "Make hockey violent again" isn't reality. The kids are coming in an skating circles around the pylons. Xhekaj is an alright skater, but there are definitely upgrades out there.

What has prompted this line of questioning was the offer made here by a Leafs fan to trade one legit prospect, one legit young roster player and a 1st round pick for a bunch of stuff, but Xhekaj (damn that's hard to type) as the main player coming back. I personally think that's an absolute DUMB amount to pay for him, but I saw Habs fans saying no to an offer they obviously should say yes to and it's not even close.