Canadiens: What to Anticipate From Arber Xhekaj

Lots of water has ran below the bridge since Arber Xhekaj confirmed as much as the Montreal Canadiens‘ camp as an invited undrafted participant. With devoted and gritty play, the blueliner satisfied GM Marc Bergevin to signal him to an entry-level contract and three years later, he satisfied GM Kent Hughes to signal him to a two-year pact price $2.6 M.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Whereas that is already fairly an accomplishment, the rugged defenseman is just not completed. Basically, Hughes signed him to a “present me deal” earlier this Summer season and that is precisely what Xhekaj will attempt to do that season.

He’ll attempt to present his shoulders are now not a priority and that they’ll face up to the grind of an NHL schedule. He’ll attempt to present he is prepared for an everyday roster spot, that his prolonged keep in Laval has made him a extra dependable defenseman in his personal zone and, that he belongs with this younger Canadiens’ workforce long run.

View the 4 pictures of this gallery on the original article

Xhekaj may even need to present that he has developed as a participant within the sense that he can now choose his fights higher and never have every little thing finish in a full-blown battle. The very fact he might be the workforce’s official protector is an efficient card to have up his sleeve for the reason that Canadiens have wanted that for thus lengthy and can want it once more.

Wanting forward, Montreal can have some huge gamers equivalent to Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach (though he would not play significantly huge), however they nonetheless have some gamers on the quick facet; Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson (if he pans out) come to thoughts. Nick Suzuki and Alex Newhook will not be significantly huge both and their presence is one thing that may assist Xhekaj ebook his everlasting spot on this younger workforce.

After scuffling with accidents in his first two skilled seasons, I count on Xhekaj to play much more video games this season and all of them in Montreal since he must undergo waivers to be despatched right down to Laval. The Canadiens’ GM is totally conscious that his mixture of abilities and physicality is not that frequent within the league and he would not danger shedding such an asset for nothing.

Even when there’s a rotation system put in place on the blueline, I would prefer to see Xhekaj dressed for at the very least 65 video games. After all, greater than his personal play will have an effect on whether or not it occurs or not, however he is bought to point out Hughes not solely what he can convey to this workforce however why he’s necessary to it. To this point, Suzuki, Slafkovsky and Guhle have all been signed long-term and acknowledged as a part of the core, this needs to be his goal.

Related: Canadiens: Offer Sheet Mayhem

Offensive manufacturing sensible, after seasons of 13 and 10 factors, there may be positively room for enchancment and there needs to be a rise there. In his rookie season, Xhekaj confirmed he may put the puck on internet from the blueline with good pictures that may create rebounds. In his sophomore season, he put the league’s goaltenders on discover that he has a Shea Weber like slap shot. That is a beautiful weapon and he has to unleash it extra typically, however present that he is aware of when it is time to use it.

Well being and time on ice allowing, there is no such thing as a purpose why Xhekaj’s offensive enter should not go as much as someplace north of 15 factors. If he performs sufficient video games, he may maybe even attain the 20-point mark.

It is all effectively and good to be robust as nails, however in in the present day’s NHL that is not sufficient to ensure you a roster spot, you will have to have the ability to play hockey too and you’ll’t neglect both side of your sport.

Associated

The Canadiens’ Next Crop of Defensemen Is Here
Canadiens: David Reinbacher is Shooting For an Opening Day Roster Spot
Canadiens: About the Xhekaj Signing…

Observe Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens’ page for all of the information and happenings across the Canadiens