Antoine Roussel issues a clear warning to Arber Xhekaj

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MarcO
January 25, 2023 (8:23 PM)

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After the Habs loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday, defenseman Arber Xhekaj had a lot to say about Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas' intentional hit on Kirby Dach.

"He never answers for his actions. I don't know what his problem is. He's been aiming at the knees of opposing players all game. Yes he plays hard, I'll give him that, but at some point you have to be able to demonstrate that you're capable of responding."

There was a sense of revenge after the game, and let's just say that the Habs' rookie defenseman may have let himself get emotional.

On the other hand, you have to be careful with this kind of hot statement after a game because it could eventually backfire on Xhekaj.

At least that's what former NHL player Antoine Roussel thinks.

Speaking to Mario Langlois on 98.5, Roussel warned the Habs' young defenseman that using the media to get his message out might not be a good idea.

He wanted to come back on this story:

"You don't scare your opponents in the press! At some point, it's going to make you look bad. It's gas for your opponents."

If there is one who knows what he is talking about, it is Antoine Roussel. Known as an agitator, he is well placed to judge that Xhekaj's comments were not necessary and that it would risk throwing fuel on the fire when the two teams meet again on March 16.

Fortunately, there is still plenty of time before that date and it could very well be that the young rookie defenseman has moved on, but let's just say that we highly doubt it.

Credit: Habsolumentfan.com