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For weeks, there have been rumors that the Flyers are keen to acquire ruggeddefenseman Arber Xhekaj from the Montreal Canadiens. The rumor originated from Dave Pagnota.
The hulking 25-year old (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) currently remains a restricted free agent. He completed a two-year contract this past season, carrying a $1.3 million average annual value per Cap Wages. Xhejak, whom Montreal signed originally as an undrafted free agent out of the OHL, has played in 230 NHL regular season games (33 points, 416 PIM) and 16 playoff games (two points, 32 PIM).
I have little doubt that the Flyers still like the player — toughness, physicality, etc. — on his own merits. The Flyers have liked the player for several years. However, it is unlikely that such a trade happens. While the Flyers may like Xhekaj’s toughness and physicality, the player is strictly a sixth defenseman when he dresses. He averaged 11:25 of ice time per game during the Montreal Canadiens 2025–26 regular season, and about 8:06 per game in the postseason.
The Flyers already acquired Simon Benoit to essentially play that role. Is he better than Xhekaj? Maybe. Xhejak is one of the NHL’s prime hitters and fighters. Benoit is no slouch in that area, either, but Xhekaj built his rep for a reason. That’s not meaningless. However, is Xhekaj better all-around hockey player than the existing alternatives that are in house? That’s debatable.
First of all, Xhekaj would not replace Rasmus Ristolainen in the lineup (should the Finnish defenseman get moved). Not happening — forget that notion. Ristolainen plays higher in the lineup, by merit.
In a third-pair role, Xhekaj also still brings less than Nick Seeler (who is a set-and-forget, steady Eddie type at about 17 or 18 minutes of ice time per game on average). I don’t want Xhekaj to protect a late lead or kill a key penalty. Conversely, Seeler has proven his reliability in those situations.
Put all that aside for now, though. Here’s the bottom line. Xhekaj would acquire something of value in return. The Habs would still prefer to sign him. That’s why he received a qualifying offer in the first place. If I were Danny Briere, I wouldn’t give up value in return for a questionable upgrade (if it is one, in fact) on the third pair. Rather, Xhekaj is more of a role replacement for Nic Deslauriers, except on defense rather than wing.
Phantoms sign two more players
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have signed defenseman Cooper Wylie (St. Cloud State, 2024 dev camp attendee) and forward Mikael Robidoux (veteran ECHL tough guy) to AHL contracts for the 2026-27 season.
Both are likely to play for the ECHL’s Reading Royals.
Team Toyota Prospect Top 20: Alex Ciernik (#19)
Flyers Top 20 Team Toyota Spotlight Countdown —
20. Ilya Pautov
19. Alex Ciernik
Alex Ciernik is a player in a similar mold to Ilya Pautov but two years older. Ordinarily, that would knock a player down a peg or two compared to a similar style player at the same position. However, Ciernik has played at higher levels than Pautov so far, including three games at the AHL level with the Phantoms late in the 2024-25 season. Moreover, a couple years ago, Ciernik impressed in one of the two Rookie Series games in Allentown against the New York Rangers’ prospects. Pautov does not yet have a track record (even KHL) upon which to draw a comparison.
Ciernik is a skilled hockey player: clever with the puck, good skater. He’s shown that. He still has room to improve as a two-way player.
Meanwhile, he’s struggled to add much-needed strength to strength to his 5-foot-10 (likely smaller) frame. He’s a medium-ceiling (middle-six) but low-floor (potential career minor league) type depending on his develpment over the next year or two.
The Flyers drafted the Slovakian forward in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2023 Draft. Philadelphia signed him to an entry-level contract on March 23, 2026. Ciernik has battled injuries the last couple years, which may have at least temporarily stalled his development. As a middle-round pick, he’s a relatively low-risk investment. If he doesn’t progress, it was still a justifiable pick. If he does, it adds depth and skill to the system at the pro level.
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