Major announcement imminent for Xhekaj and Slafkovsky: Renaud Lavoie speaks out and that could say a lot

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Jeff Drouin
October 9, 2022 (12:40)

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We're now less than a week away from the start of the NHL season and hockey fans are all very anxious for the real show to begin. But there are still a few positions to be filled on the Habs.

While defenseman Arber Xhekaj has certainly been the revelation of camp on defense for the Habs, the same can't quite be said for Juraj Slafkovsky.

Despite an interesting game last Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Thursday against the Ottawa Sens, the very first pick in the last draft still has some adjustments to make to be considered a real NHL player.

However, as Michaël Petit of Danslescoulisses.com reports, the chances of Slafkovsky and Xhekaj starting the season in Montreal are more than likely.

At least that's what Renaud Lavoie said on the TVA Sports podcast La Dose.

Although some experts have suggested that the Habs organization should send the 18-year-old Slovak to the Laval Rocket, the journalist disagrees and believes that Slakovsky's place at the start of the season is with the big club.

"I would tell you that it would be surprising if he was sent down. [...] The logical thing would be for Slafkovsky to start the season with the Canadiens."

You're going to keep Slafkovsky before Jesse Ylonen. And it's 100% certain that you're going to keep Slafkovsky before Michael Pezzetta. Offensively, other than that, there's not really anything else. There won't be any surprises."

As for Xhekaj, Lavoie also believes that the defenseman will be in the lineup at the start of the season and that he brings a dimension that is rare in the NHL these days.

When things get a little shaky on the ice, he's able to calm things down and warn opposing players. The other player who can do that [on the Canadiens] is Josh Anderson. However, there is a downside to Anderson. Last year, in a fight, he injured his wrist. He was able to finish the season, but he couldn't fight anymore.

The team will be particularly young. When you think about Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Slafkovsky, you have to think of a way to protect those players."

And it should be mentioned that Xhekaj is not only a strong player, but he can bring a little bit of offense and let's say that this aspect of the game is a little lacking in the Habs' defensemen.

"He's definitely not just a fighter. He's got a really good offensive flair. His skating stroke is more than reasonable, if not perfect."

Obviously we still don't know what the Habs' plans are for Slakovsky and Xhekaj, but it's a safe bet that both prospects will start the season in Montreal, and in the case of the latter, he may have even snatched up the job that was reserved for Justin Barron.

What do you think?