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NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On The Flames, Canadiens’ Xhekaj and Montembeault
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The Calgary Flames remain the subject of trade speculation as they continue to rebuild their roster. Meanwhile, rumors continue to circulate Montreal Canadiens’ free agents Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc
The Calgary Flames will have some heavy competition on the blueline heading into training camp
Daniel Austin of the Calgary
Sunpointed out recently that the Flames have nine defensemen who
will be jockeying for six regular roster spots this season. He
speculated that one of them could be moved to free up space
Austin’s colleague, Kent
Wilson, noted that Zach Whitecloud surfaced in trade speculation last
season. He acknowledged that the 29-year-old blueliner’s
experience, reputation, and affordable contract ($2.75 million AAV
through 2027-28) could fetch a solid return
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However, Wilson considered it
unlikely that the Flames would trade Whitecloud. The veteran
blueliner fit in well with the Flames since being acquired from the
Vegas Golden Knights in January. Moving him would leave them lacking
experienced depth and leadership on the back end
The Flames are also deep with
wingers. Austin reminded us that Connor Zary was the subject of trade
rumors last season. Perhaps he’ll come up again as a trade
candidate
Speaking of the Flames, The
Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa thinks Morgan Frost could be an
intriguing trade target for the Montreal Canadiens
DeRosa observed that questions
have been raised about Frost’s future with the rebuilding Flames.
The 27-year-old center is in the final season of his two-year
contract with an AAV of $4.375 million, with an eight-team no-trade
list
Frost had a decent 2025-26
campaign with 43 points in 82 games, including a career-high 22
goals. DeRosa thinks he could be a strong pickup for the Canadiens,
who are seeking a top-six forward, preferably a second-line center
So far, there’s no indication
the Flames intend to move Frost. If he’s available, he might not
adequately address the Canadiens’ needs, given their earlier links
to Toronto Maple Leafs power forward Matthew Knies and Columbus Blue
Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko
Speaking of the Canadiens, Stu
Cowan of The Montreal Gazetteraised the possibility last week
of defenseman Arber Xhekaj and winger Zachary Bolduc becoming
“sign-and-trade” candidates
thehockeynews.comXhekaj And Bolduc Candidates To Sign-And-Trade Deals?The Montreal Canadiens still have two RFAs, and as we get deeper into August, one Canadiens beat writer wrote that they may be candidates to sign-and-trade deals. Does that make sense?
Xhekaj and Bolduc are restricted
free agents coming off low-cost contracts. Cowan thinks there will be
teams interested in both players if they become available
The Canadiens could attempt to
move them in a package deal for that elusive second-line center.
However, they’ll likely have to add a sweetener in the form of a
high draft pick or a top prospect to make that offer more palatable.
Even then, they’re unlikely to find anything suitable before the
start of the regular season
Meanwhile, Brendan Kelly recently pleaded for the Canadiens not to bring back goaltender Sam Montembeault. He insisted
that management trade the 30-year-old netminder and stick with their
young tandem of Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler
Moving Montembeault is easier
said than done. His struggles last season hurt his trade value
The Canadiens could give
Montembeault playing time to make him more enticing for clubs in need
of goalie depth. Otherwise, they could start this season with three
goalies or send Montembeault or Fowler to the minors
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