Montreal could trade Arber Xhekaj for a first-round pick to target a true top-six center, with Shane Wright as the alluring return if the pick lands with Seattle. Wright posted 19 goals and 44 points in 2024, but Montreal’s back end is crowded—Hutson, Guhle, Carrier and Matheson—giving Xhekaj high trade value despite his physical, enforcer-type upside. The move hinges on securing immediate center production, not another mid-round asset.

Lane Hutson’s extension with Montreal remains on the table with no rush from either side. Both players and the Canadiens understand the ballpark figures, and August conversations are quiet but productive. Hutson’s rookie-year brilliance keeps the ceiling high, suggesting a mid-to-high end AAV if the pace continues, while cap growth over the next two seasons could push the deal toward the upper end. The negotiation mirrors established comps like Dobson and Faber, with mid-term length favored to preserve value as Hutson matures.