Big Surprise announcement and Arber Xhekaj sent elsewhere in the lineup to follow Nicolas Deslauriers as a forward?

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Elias Edmonson
December 4, 2023 (8:28 PM)

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During his show on TVA Sports, expert Jean-Charles Lajoie made a suggestion that has sparked much discussion about Arber Xhekaj.

As you probably already know, the CH sent Xhekaj to the American League today, with the Laval Rocket, and it was not unanimously well-received.

The CH clarified that it is a "real" reassignment with the Rocket, not just a conditioning stint.

In short, see the excerpt found on the TVA Sports website,

Should Arber Xhekaj be moved to offense to continue playing with the Montreal Canadiens despite the logjam on the blue line?

"Xhekaj in Laval? I say, put him up front!" Jean-Charles Lajoie declared on Monday during the JiC show.

Tony Marinaro, who was alongside him, didn't dislike the idea at all.

"We have already seen defensemen who couldn't secure a spot play on the wing." - Marinaro

Several experts believe that Jayden Struble has taken Xhekaj's spot in Martin St-Louis's lineup, explaining his reassignment to Laval.

"The sample size isn't large, but I'll say this: 'Struble plays better hockey than Xhekaj or understands the game better.'"

They therefore proposed putting Xhekaj on Mitchell Stephens' wing, on the Habs' 4th line. Do you like the idea? They also drew a parallel with Nicolas Deslauriers.

"Who are the defensemen who drop the gloves in the NHL today? There aren't many. If it was good for Nicolas Deslauriers, we should start thinking about it now. Xhekaj could do well on the left wing of a fourth line."

It's true that he played upfront a few seasons ago in the OHL, but we are not convinced of the idea. We like him on defense, and you?

Credit and details:

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Where would you position Xhekaj?
On offense with the Canadiens	277	29.5 %
On defense with the Canadiens	528	56.2 %
With the Laval Rocket	134	14.3 %
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