Martin St-Louis makes a major decision with Arber Xhekaj, and it's officially over for him being just a 6th or 7th defenseman
Over the past few weeks, numerous rumors have circulated regarding the relationship between Martin St-Louis and Arber Xhekaj.
Many believe (and have suggested) that St-Louis is not the biggest fan of the Sheriff's style.
However, he has just made an unexpected move that we all love.
A big promotion for Arber Xhekaj
While the number 72 has been stuck in the role of a 6th, or even 7th defenseman for a while, he has just received a nice promotion!
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Roy-Newhook-Armia
Gallagher-Pezzetta-Anderson
Pearson-White-Ylonen
Matheson-Guhle
Xhekaj-Savard
Struble-Harris Kovacevic"
- Via Patrick Friolet, journalist for RDS
Xhekaj is promoted to the top-4 defense with David Savard! Wow!
He is therefore rewarded for his recent performances, and we love it. He is likely to play very big minutes tomorrow night against the Arizona Coyotes.
Martin St-Louis rewards him. Finally, some would say!
Xhekaj, 23 years old, 6 feet 4 inches and 240 pounds, has accumulated six points in 27 games this season (three goals) in addition to 60 minutes of penalties. His differential of -1 is good under the circumstances.
To be continued, starting tomorrow!
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 26 | 759 ANSWERS Martin St-Louis makes a major decision with Arber Xhekaj, and it's officially over for him being just a 6th or 7th defenseman Do you believe Xhekaj is a top-4 NHL defenseman? | ||
| Yes | 504 | 66.4 % |
| No | 107 | 14.1 % |
| No, but a solid 5th or 6th defenseman | 148 | 19.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531375.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531078.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) stops Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531009.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) stops Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530954.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
