Significant statement from George Laraque between Martin St-Louis and Arber Xhekaj
It appears that Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis has completely revised his approach regarding the role of toughness in the team, particularly concerning Arber Xhekaj.
This information was revealed by Georges Laraque, a former Canadiens player and current host on BPM Sports, during his show "Laraque - Gonzalez."
According to the former enforcer, Martin St-Louis did not always appreciate Xhekaj's aggressive behavior or his "mood swings." However, the coach seems to have changed his mind after noticing that his team was often getting pushed around during the preseason games.
Laraque also mentioned that St-Louis ultimately approved of Xhekaj's actions in recent games, particularly after his altercation with Cédric Paré of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the knee-on-knee hit he delivered to Patrik Laine.
This shift marks a change in philosophy, with St-Louis now recognizing the importance of physicality to protect the young talent on his team and to command respect on the ice.
This change in attitude aligns with the efforts of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, who are reportedly in search of another forward capable of standing up for the team to strengthen the Canadiens' bottom-six. The goal is clear: to protect the top players and prevent injuries from questionable hits, as was seen during the preseason.
This development suggests that the Canadiens are looking to strike a balance between physical play and their young prospects, and a potential acquisition of a tough forward could be on the horizon. Backed by his coach, Arber Xhekaj could play a key role in this new dynamic for the 2024-2025 season.
