Arber Xhekaj is a player well-liked by Montreal Canadiens fans, but head coach Martin St. Louis has not shown much enthusiasm for including him in the game roster. Recently, Xhekaj has found himself as the team’s seventh defenseman, enduring several healthy scratches, which has raised concerns among fans. The Canadiens seem to view Xhekaj similarly to how the New York Rangers view Matt Rempe, perceiving him as a potential liability and primarily recognizing his strengths in fighting and enforcer roles.
During a radio segment on BMP Sports in Montreal, Georges Laraque made an intriguing observation regarding Xhekaj, suggesting that the Canadiens are likely to trade him soon. He mentioned that other teams are interested in acquiring him and that Montreal could receive a good return for him. “There are teams interested in his services, and if they get him, he won’t be coming out of the lineup like he does in Montreal. Xhekaj knows this, and so does his agent. The Canadiens will eventually trade Arber Xhekaj.”
Only time will reveal whether this prediction comes true, but the outlook for Xhekaj appears bleak at the moment. With his limited playing time, he may need a teammate’s injury to have a chance to reenter the lineup.
