Massive Career Change for Arber Xhekaj? Analysts Believe He Will Be Moved to the Wing

His progression was meteoric, as he went from an undrafted player in the OHL and in the NHL, to making the jump directly with the main club at the end of his junior career.

Since last year, he has been a regular defenseman for the Canadiens and he brings a unique dimension to the team's lineup. He has become one of the crowd's favorites due to his charisma, toughness, and let's say it, his fists.

However, given the strong depth in the organization's defensive prospect pool, with big names like David Reinbacher, Lane Hutson, and Logan Mailloux, some people, including journalist Mathias Brunet, question whether there will be a spot for him in the not-so-distant future.

In Brunet's view, Xhekaj will not survive the arrival of the club's future talents. Despite this, he mentions that the defender's market value would be immense at the moment. To allow him to remain in Montreal, Brunet made a statement coming completely out of left field, which created some controversy on social media. He asserts that the Canadiens must try him at the wing.

While he made this suggestion live on the BPM Sports return show, host Martin Lemay simply couldn't believe it.

Although cases are rare, but some have succeeded in making a position change in the NHL, I think here of Mark Streit and Dustin Byfuglien, among others, it is not a guarantee of success and the names listed here have moved from forward to defenseman, and not the reverse.

I find it ideal that Xhekaj is a defenseman, as he has an unmatched strength to shake up the opponent in the defensive zone. He still has a lot to refine in his game, but that's normal, as he is only 22 years old.

On the other hand, I totally disagree with Brunet's suggestion. And you, would you like to see Xhekaj used at the wing?

Credit: https://www.fanadiens.com/Declaration-completement-controversee-sur-Arber-Xhekaj-et-le-Canadien-de-Montreal-295431