Arber Xhekaj’s future in Montreal is suddenly looking a lot less certain, and his own brother is part of the reason why.
Florian Xhekaj is pushing toward a real shot with the Canadiens, and that could put the organization in a tricky spot when it comes to Arber Xhekaj. Montreal’s offense is expected to look much like it did a year ago, with no major additions, which means players already in the system are going to get their chance to force the issue. Among that group, Florian stands out.
Unlike someone such as Owen Beck, Florian has a very clear identity, and it matches a need the Canadiens have. Stu Cowan, who has followed the team closely for many years, said Montreal will give him every opportunity to earn a roster spot at training camp.
That opportunity is real, but it won’t be automatic. He’ll need to be better than he was in his brief five-game audition last season to win a job.
That’s where the pressure on Arber Xhekaj comes in.
The younger brother brings a similar physical edge, and that overlap could make life complicated for the 25-year-old defender. If Florian convinces the Canadiens he belongs, Kent Hughes could have a path to move on from Arber Xhekaj, who is a restricted free agent and also appears to carry strong value on the trade market.
It’s a scenario that makes sense on paper, even if it’s not one most fans want to see. Many supporters would rather keep the Sheriff in Montreal. Still, the door is open enough that a lot would need to go right for that to become a reality.
Arber Xhekaj stands 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, and last season he played 65 games, finished with 116 penalty minutes, and posted a -8 rating.
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