Arber Xhekaj's Return Imminent: Major Information Has Emerged
The decision to send Arber Xhekaj back to Laval has been a topic of much discussion over the past few weeks.
Unfortunately for the 22-year-old defenseman, a multitude of factors contributed to his demotion to the minors, despite his strong efforts for the team before sustaining an injury early in the season.
In relation to his assignment to the AHL, Xhekaj has made an important revelation about the Canadiens' management and the organization's plan for him.
"I don't think the management wants me to be a 6th or 7th defenseman in Montreal. I think they want me to be the 'go-to-guy' who eventually plays 20 minutes a night and builds on that." - Arber Xhekaj
According to Xhekaj, Kent Hughes wants him to become much more than just a supporting defenseman.
Ultimately, the Canadiens want Xhekaj to develop to the best of his abilities, and this stint in Laval is a crucial first step for him to eventually reach his full potential in the NHL.
Playing games with the Rocket seems to be paying off for the young defenseman. After seven games, he has scored a goal and totaled four points.
He is playing significant minutes on the first defensive pairing under coach Jean-François Houle and is taking on a leading defensive role alongside Logan Mailloux, the organization's first-round pick in 2021.
Sometimes, taking a step back is necessary to make significant progress later, and I believe that in the long term, this phase with the farm team will be highly beneficial for him.
| POLL |
27 DECEMBRE | 398 ANSWERS Arber Xhekaj's Return Imminent: Major Information Has Emerged Do you think Arber Xhekaj belongs in the NHL? |
| Yes | 364 | 91.5 % |
| No | 34 | 8.5 % |
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