Look, it’s by no means straightforward for a participant within the NHL to be a part of a rotation, whether or not between the pipes or on protection. The Montreal Canadiens have seen this image and are going by way of it once more with 23-year-old defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
Despite the fact that the Canadiens signed Xhekaj to a new two-year deal over the summer season, it didn’t assure him a spot in Martin St. Louis‘s lineup, which will be irritating for a participant.
Simply look what occurred with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Timothy Liljegren. He signed a brand new two-year deal at $3 million a season. Nonetheless, he didn’t earn the time or impress new head coach Craig Berube to get into the lineup. Liljegren is now in San Jose.
Despite the fact that he has been a wholesome scratch just lately, that doesn’t imply the Canadiens are losing the prime of Xhekaj’s profession.
Former Canadiens participant Georges Laraque just lately acknowledged on French Canadian radio that Xhekaj is sad with always being out and in of the lineup. He anticipated to play extra with the brand new contract.
“It’s regular that Xhekaj isn’t pleased as a result of he’s in his prime and expects to play in each sport,” Laraque said. “Arber, being in his prime, can’t settle for being out and in of the lineup.”
Whereas it’s irritating, we’ve seen this across the league with different groups, the place the player’s and team’s timelines are different and do not match. Nonetheless, Xhekaj nonetheless has a methods to go in his growth and might’t be only a one-dimensional play.
Arber Xhekaj brings a bodily presence to the lineup the Montreal Canadiens haven’t had in a very long time. Xhekaj plays with an edge that has gotten him in trouble with the officials. Unfairly or not. However head coach Martin St. Louis would really like him to play slightly extra beneath management.
“The type of his sport, when he retains it in verify, he could be a very influential and really impactful participant; I believe the Canadiens consider that’s a part of their future as nicely,” Darren Dreger said on TSN Radio in Montreal on Friday.
And the highest 4 of the Montreal Canadiens protection is about. You’ve gotten Mike Matheson, David Savard, Kaiden Guhle, and Lane Hutson. What’s Arber Xhekaj, a sixth or seventh defenseman at greatest? However he wants to enhance his defensive sport. He can’t at all times play with that edge that will get him in hassle. However he’s nonetheless younger.
“When you may have that six, seven man who’s extra a bodily presence, who isn’t nice defensively, and he’s not nice defensively, like we all know why he’s on the market, proper?” Dennis Bernstein said on TSN Radio in Montreal on Friday. “I imply, can he show defensively? He’s 23 years outdated. Defenseman often develop later, and he’s received some measurement, you’ll be able to’t coach that.”
And look, did the Canadiens go up towards some groups that had been extra bodily? Positive. The Washington Capitals this previous Wednesday, for example, had Dylan McIlrath and Tom Wilson. However would Arber Xhekaj’s presence matter in the results of that sport?
St. Louis and the remainder of the Montreal Canadiens administration need him to develop. They nonetheless consider he can develop. However to say he’s on the prime of his profession couldn’t be farther from the reality.
Arber Xhekaj nonetheless must play a greater defensive sport. Taking part in on the sting is ok, however you must hone taking part in on the sting by taking part in good protection and never costing your crew.
It will likely be fascinating to see how issues develop between the Canadiens and Arber Xhekaj.
