Kent Hughes made a specific acquisition to help Arber Xhekaj in MTL

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MarcO
July 26, 2024 (9:39)

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Arber Xhekaj is certainly one of the most feared enforcers in the entire National Hockey League, but he will need help.

In addition to excelling at dropping the gloves and commanding respect on the ice, Xhekaj is also a very good hockey player and a solid defenseman.

If he wants to focus more on his game as an NHL defenseman, he will probably need help, and he will need another Canadiens player who can drop the gloves when needed.

Well, Kent Hughes may have already acquired that other player to help the Sheriff, and moreover, it's a name already well known to fans.

Florian Xhekaj to reinforce the Canadiens and help Arber Xhekaj in his role?

Knowing that Michael Pezzetta's tenure in Montreal seems to be coming to an end, the Canadiens may have already acquired his replacement, and they may have already acquired the one who could be Arber Xhekaj's valuable right-hand man.

Florian Xhekaj, who could make his NHL debut as early as next year according to himself, is determined to emulate his brother and earn his place with the big club right now.

Yes, he could definitely play an important role:

Florian Xhekaj, who signed his entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens a few months ago, is already in the organization's plans.

He wants to start the 2024-25 season in the NHL, but even if he doesn't, several well-connected journalists, including Stu Cowan, believe he will be one of the first players called up by Kent Hughes in case of injury in Montreal.

« It would not surprise me [if Florian is called up with the Canadiens]. Xhekaj had an excellent development camp and showed last season that he could score goals, in addition to having a physical presence, as he posted a total of 34 goals and 31 assists (65 points) in 63 games last season with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League.

I expect Xhekaj to start the season with the Laval Rocket in the American League, but I also see him at the top of the list of players who will be called up if there are injuries with the Canadiens. »

- Stu Cowan

A big story to follow in the coming months!

At 20 years old, Florian Xhekaj recorded 34 goals and 31 assists (65 points) in 63 games in the OHL last year.

He is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound forward, who was barely 5-foot-11 about twenty months ago.

Credit: Marqueur
Un nouveau dur à cuir pour soutenir Arber Xhekaj avec le Canadien l'an prochain?