Arber Xhekaj entered September with Martin St-Louis facing a serious question about where the defenceman fit in Montreal.
For weeks, uncertainty around Xhekaj had opened the door to a scenario few Canadiens fans expected to be discussing this close to camp.
The longer he remained unsigned, the easier it became to wonder whether Montreal was preparing to move forward without one of its most recognizable blue-line pieces.
Then Pierre LeBrun dropped the development Monday: talks between the Canadiens and Xhekaj are progressing, the sides are getting closer, and the expectation is that he will be signed and at training camp.
Jeff Gorton just now says he is confident a deal will get done.
“I'm confident that Arber will be there and be part of our group.“
"Talks are progressing and things are getting closer on a new deal between the Canadiens and RFA D Arber Xhekaj. Not done yet, but the expectation is that he'll be at camp and signed."
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That changes the temperature around this situation immediately. What had started to look like a possible separation now has a clear path toward Xhekaj returning to the Montreal locker room.
Nothing is completed yet, and that distinction matters. But LeBrun reporting an expectation that Xhekaj will be in camp gives this story an entirely different direction.
Montreal suddenly looks ready to keep Xhekaj
Xhekaj remains an RFA, which gave Montreal control of the process while leaving his immediate future unsettled. The Canadiens could afford patience, but every unsigned day raised the pressure.
Now the pressure shifts. Instead of wondering whether Xhekaj has played his last game for Montreal, the focus turns toward what kind of role Martin St-Louis gives him once camp opens.
That could become the next battle. Montreal's blue line is crowded with players trying to secure minutes, and signing Xhekaj doesn't automatically guarantee him a comfortable spot every night.
His value has never been limited to the scoresheet. Xhekaj brings size, edge and an element that changes the feel of Montreal's back end when he's in the lineup.
For Kent Hughes, getting this agreement across the finish line would also shut down one of the Canadiens' biggest unresolved roster questions before camp begins.
The timing makes LeBrun's report especially significant. A stalled negotiation can create uncertainty fast in Montreal, where every lineup decision involving a popular player becomes a major storyline.
Instead, the Canadiens now appear headed toward a reunion that looked far less certain only recently.
Xhekaj isn't signed yet. But his future with Montreal suddenly looks dramatically different.
Should the Canadiens make Arber Xhekaj a regular in Martin St-Louis' lineup?
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