On June 13, Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis spoke about defenseman Arber Xhekaj during the Missin’ Curfew podcast, emphasizing the player’s development beyond his reputation as a tough enforcer. St. Louis noted that Xhekaj possesses a broad skill set that could help him evolve into a dependable NHL defenseman.
St. Louis remarked,
“He can do way more than just fight. They call him the Sheriff in Montreal. He’s very good at that, but there are a lot of other things he’s very good at as well.”
Challenges Faced During the Season and Playoff Experience
Last season presented obstacles for Xhekaj, as he was frequently sidelined due to Montreal’s surplus of left-handed defensemen. His absence extended into the playoffs, where he missed the first two games against the Washington Capitals. Upon his return, Xhekaj saw limited ice time, averaging just under 11 minutes per game and not recording any points during the series.
Despite these setbacks, St. Louis remains optimistic about Xhekaj’s progress, highlighting the difficulty inherent in defending at the NHL level, especially for young players. The coach said,
“I think as a defenseman, especially a young defenseman, the hardest part in the league is just defending. You forget that he’s still very young & he’s gonna keep improving.”
Xhekaj’s Developing Game and Tactical Physicality
St. Louis also pointed out that Xhekaj is learning to control his physical play by choosing when to engage in fights and other aggressive actions thoughtfully. He explained,
“He’s got a nice package—alone without his toughness, and obviously he can fight. But take that out of the equation, he’s still a very young, promising defenseman. If he has to fight, he will. But he’s learned to pick his spots…He’s a lot of fun to coach, too.”
In terms of statistics, Xhekaj ended the season with one goal, five assists, and a -13 plus-minus rating, reflecting some of the challenges faced by the Canadiens on defense.
Montreal’s Young Defensive Core and Playoff Outcome
The Canadiens’ playoff run concluded after a 4-1 defeat to the Washington Capitals in Game 5, marking Montreal’s first postseason appearance since 2021. The team struggled offensively, scoring only three goals at even strength throughout the series and losing all three games played in Washington.
Key forwards Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky collectively scored seven of Montreal’s 12 goals in the series, while goaltender Sam Montembeault, who performed well early on, was sidelined with an injury during Game 3. In Games 4 and 5, Montreal suffered losses by a three-goal margin.
Montreal’s defense included four players experiencing their first playoff games, highlighting the youth and inexperience within the group. Xhekaj is among this promising but developing cohort, underscoring the necessity for patience and continued growth as he aims to solidify his role on the team.