The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a difficult spot this season. They are six points out of the final wild card spot, but also winners of three straight as they headed into the Olympic break. It was previously reported that they were planning to sell at the deadline. However, now they could potentially look at selling a few assets while also trying to build for the future and make smart moves that set them up better for next season.
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If they do take that approach, one potential trade partner could be one of their biggest rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. This idea was brought to my attention after reading my colleague William Bourget’s piece, 3 Defencemen the Canadiens Should Target at the Trade Deadline. He mentioned that Montreal could have interest in Simon Benoit, and it got me thinking. Could the Maple Leafs and Canadiens pull off a one-for-one trade, Benoit for Arber Xhekaj? Let’s dive into that idea.
Benoit to the Habs Makes Sense
The thought came to me pretty quickly after reading William’s article. In it, he touched on Xhekaj’s usage with the Canadiens and how he may have fallen out of favour with the coaching staff. Here’s what he wrote:
Outside of that, Xhekaj has consistently been underused. When a defenceman struggles to crack double-digit ice time in close games, it’s a strong indicator that the coaching staff doesn’t fully trust him in all situations. Whether it’s defensive reads, puck management, or discipline, Xhekaj’s role has clearly been reduced to a minimum.
Later in the piece, Bourget also mentioned Benoit as a potential fit for Montreal, noting that he’s a Quebec native and plays a style that would make sense on their third pairing. If Benoit is genuinely on the Canadiens’ radar, it makes sense for the Maple Leafs to look beyond just picks and see if there’s a roster player they could get back in return.
Where Xhekaj Comes into the Picture
One of the biggest factors here is that Benoit still has an extra year of term on his contract. If he were a pure rental, the asking price would likely be lower. But because he isn’t, a one-for-one deal where Toronto acquires a younger defenceman like Xhekaj could be appealing. He would add something different to the Maple Leafs’ blue line, and honestly, he fits exactly what this fan base gravitates toward.
If Xhekaj is truly falling out of favour in Montreal and potentially at risk of being sent down, a change of scenery could help both sides. Toronto’s fan base would absolutely love him. As for Benoit, it gives him a chance to play for the team he grew up cheering for, and to do it at the most important time of the season. It’s hard to imagine that wouldn’t appeal to him, even with how much he seems to enjoy playing in Toronto.
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The biggest hurdle, of course, is the rivalry. These teams don’t trade with each other often. That said, it has happened. The most recent examples would be the deal that sent Mikhail Grabovski to Toronto in 2009, and the Tomas Plekanec trade in 2018, which added veteran depth for a playoff run.
From Montreal’s perspective, this could be a similar move. They’d be adding a more trusted, steady defender in Benoit as they prepare for the playoffs, while Toronto takes a swing on a player who may just need a fresh start.
