Very concerning statement about Arber Xhekaj

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David St-Jean
December 29, 2023 (5:44 PM)

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Arber Xhekaj has been sent down to the American League for a very specific reason: to improve his defensive game. The organization has also asked him to better manage his emotions, as he had a tendency to take bad penalties while trying too hard to defend his teammates.

This aspect of his game is missed by the Canadiens since he's no longer there. If we just look at the hit to the head suffered by Juraj Slafkovsky on Thursday night, only Caufield went to check on the Hurricanes player. It's not exactly intimidating.

There's no sheriff in Montreal anymore, and it seems he left his badge at home when going to Laval, as he's not enforcing order there either. It's quite concerning when his teammates need him.

"Several players were getting shaken up without any response. Arber Xhekaj was watching the parade go by with his arms hanging by his sides, as if someone had handcuffed his fists to his thighs. Late in the game, he had the opportunity to defend Dobes, who had just been checked again by an opponent. A few words, and that was the end of the scrum. Tempers flared in the last two minutes of the game, and it was Riley Kidney who seemed the most fired up to defend Brady Keeper. Riley Kidney! You read that right."

- TSLH

Is the organization changing Xhekaj's nature? Before his demotion, he would never have hesitated to defend his teammates. It's almost scary how different a player he is now.

We hope for his recall to bring order to the Canadiens, but the organization doesn't see things the same way. Yet, his contribution would be significant right now with the Canadiens.