Arber Xhekaj Deserves a Bigger Role in Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens have been dealt a significant blow with the injury to Kaiden Guhle, a key piece of their defensive core. Losing such an important defenseman is a challenge for any team, but as Maxim Lapierre and Pascal Leclaire from the “La Poche Bleue” podcast pointed out, the Canadiens must find solutions. One suggestion that stands out is giving Arber Xhekaj a bigger role and testing his capabilities in the top four.

Lapierre and Leclaire believe that now is the perfect time to elevate Xhekaj’s responsibilities. According to Lapierre, Xhekaj has earned the opportunity to prove himself in a more significant role. He questions why the Canadiens have not given him a chance to earn or lose a top-four spot, arguing that he is not a defensive liability. Instead, Lapierre sees Xhekaj as a smart, physical defenseman who could thrive with greater responsibility.

Leclaire echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the Canadiens have repeatedly placed Xhekaj in the same limited role. While he has performed well in that capacity, the real question is whether he has been truly given the chance to expand his game. This stagnation in his development could be preventing the Canadiens from unlocking his full potential.

With Guhle expected to miss the rest of the season, the Canadiens are left with a hole on the blue line that cannot be easily filled internally. While veterans like Alexandre Carrier and Michael Matheson are solid contributors, they cannot shoulder the entire defensive burden alone. Additionally, Lane Hutson, a promising young talent, has begun to slow down, which is a natural adjustment period for a rookie.

Given these circumstances, the Canadiens should seize this opportunity to test Xhekaj in a larger role. The remainder of the season presents a valuable window to assess whether he can elevate his game and handle more significant minutes. If he succeeds, Montreal could solidify its defensive depth and gain greater clarity on their blue-line structure moving forward.

Xhekaj possesses the physicality, intelligence, and determination to handle an expanded role. It is time for Martin St. Louis and his coaching staff to experiment and see if he can rise to the occasion. If the Canadiens are serious about developing their young talent, they must be willing to test their limits. With Guhle out, there is no better moment to take that leap of faith on Arber Xhekaj.