Florian Xhekaj’s name is suddenly right in the middle of a lineup decision the Canadiens may have to make before Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The question hanging over Montreal is whether Alexandre Texier could come out of the lineup to make room for Xhekaj. After Texier’s questionable penalty against the Maple Leafs last night, several observers have already started pointing toward a change. Grant McCagg has even gone as far as expecting Texier to sit out the next game.
That has naturally led to the next step in the conversation: whether Florian Xhekaj is about to move into the regular lineup and take that spot.
Xhekaj was a reserve for the season opener even after putting together an impressive camp. His place on the roster was confirmed in a personal call from Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, a moment he won’t forget anytime soon.
His case has only grown stronger since then. Martin St-Louis praised his consistency and focus just before the season started, and both Nick Suzuki and Phillip Danault were also highly complimentary of him.
So the ingredients are there for a possible change.
Texier’s camp, meanwhile, had already started on a tougher note, which could make the door easier to open for Florian Xhekaj. A penalty like the one against Toronto may have handed the coaching staff a straightforward reason to consider a lineup switch.
With the Canadiens currently in Pittsburgh for a closed retreat, the staff has time to weigh the options.
The question now is simple: should Martin St-Louis pull Alexandre Texier from the lineup and give Florian Xhekaj a shot against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins?
In Other News...
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Their movement leaves the Rocket with 25 players still in camp as they build toward the American Hockey League season. For Montreal, it is another reminder of how the organization is sorting its depth chart in real time, with some prospects moving on while others keep their hold on a spot and wait for the next opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
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Drafted by the Bruins in 2022, Poitras has already shown enough at both levels to make him a legitimate target, with 69 NHL games and 27 career points adding to a productive AHL season in Providence. The Canadiens would not be alone in keeping an eye on the situation, but a rare chance to pluck a player with his skill from a division rival is the kind of opening teams do not get often, which is why the next roster move in Boston matters so much. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Have Found A Better Fit Next To Demidov And Slafkovsky
When the Canadiens shuffled their lineup to cover for Oliver Kapanens injury, Alex Newhook slid onto a line with Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky, and the change immediately gave Montreal a different look. The trio did not put up a point, but the early returns were encouraging enough to make the adjustment more than just a short-term fix, especially for a team still searching for the right combinations around its young talent.
What stood out was less about the box score and more about how the line functioned away from it. Newhook brought a steadier defensive presence and, in limited action, helped that unit generate more dangerous looks while keeping the other side from creating as much in response. With the coaching staff weighing whether to keep him in the mix, Montreal may have stumbled into a better fit next to two of its most important young forwards. [Read more 🡒]