The Montreal Canadiens suffered a setback on Saturday when Patrik Laine sustained a knee injury after colliding with an opposing player during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Following the incident, Arber Xhekaj quickly confronted the player involved, prompting support from his teammates, including Cole Caufield.
However, Xhekaj has recently made headlines for another reason. On Tuesday, he hit Ottawa Senators star Tim Stutzle and immediately fought Brady Tkachuk afterward. Stutzle exited the game due to an upper-body injury, which has drawn criticism, but Caufield has defended Xhekaj, stating, “There’s no intent to injure… He’s a protector… He’s respected around the league… At the end of the day, he’s fighting for one of us.”
While Xhekaj may not have the same star power as Caufield, he plays a crucial role on the Canadiens as a physical player who defends his teammates against over-aggressive opponents. However, he has sometimes let his emotions dictate his actions, a common challenge for someone his age of 23. Montreal believes he can evolve into a key player with better emotional control.
The Canadiens aim to foster a strong team culture, and Xhekaj’s readiness to stand up for his teammates is seen positively. Head coach Martin St. Louis emphasized the importance of camaraderie in achieving success, noting, “Our bond is showing in every aspect, from practice to games.”
The Canadiens will kick off their 2024-25 season on October 9, facing off against their Atlantic Division rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fans are eager to see if the team can start the season well as they strive for improvement on the ice.
