Georges Laraque, a former NHL enforcer and current analyst, claims that Arber Xhekaj’s time with the Montreal Canadiens may soon come to an end, hinting at an imminent trade.
During a recent appearance on BPM Sports, Laraque expressed his belief that General Manager Kent Hughes is likely to move Xhekaj. He noted, “There are teams interested in him, and if they acquire him, he won’t be benched like he is in Montreal. Xhekaj is aware of this, as is his agent. The Canadiens will eventually trade Arber Xhekaj.”
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, the 23-year-old Xhekaj has had a challenging start to the season, with no points in five games, a -4 plus/minus rating, and two penalty minutes. Laraque seems confident that a trade is on the horizon, which wouldn’t be the first time Xhekaj’s name has surfaced in discussions, as the Canadiens were close to trading him to the Calgary Flames last season before the deal fell through.
Once a reliable member of the Canadiens’ roster, Xhekaj now finds himself sidelined as a healthy scratch. His opportunity diminished after fellow defenseman Jayden Struble returned from injury, pushing Xhekaj to the 7th defenseman position. This is surprising, given that he was expected to play a significant role this season beyond just being an enforcer.
The decision to bench him in favor of other defensemen is a disappointment, especially since his physical style of play would be valuable against teams featuring tough players. Missing the chance to compete against the New York Rangers and their own enforcer, Matt Rempe, raises further questions about his future with the Canadiens. If he’s not being suited up for games that highlight his skillset, concerns grow about his chances for further opportunities.
Currently, Xhekaj feels sidelined and management’s choices reflect their view of his role within the team. It’s evident that he’s frustrated, as shown by his demeanor during Monday’s practice. His frustration has been evident over the past two games where he was a healthy scratch, but according to Eric Belanger from ‘La Poche Bleue,’ his visible discontent might be interpreted positively by some.
This annoyance demonstrates his desire to contribute and shows resilience in his character. Having faced challenges before, such as being demoted to the Laval Rocket last season, Xhekaj used that setback to elevate his game.
