Beloved Enforcer Arber Xhekaj Comments on Being Sent to the AHL
Published December 5, 2023 at 2:26 PM
BY DAWSON MCKENZIE
BY DAWSON MCKENZIE
Xhekaj Suprised With Canadiens Decision to Send Him to the Minors
Arber Xhekaj is one of the Montreal Canadiens' most beloved young defensemen, notably for his ability to drop the gloves and his unrelenting toughness. Xhekaj has made a name for himself around the league as one of the next toughest players to take over the reign of enforcer in the NHL.
Arber Xhekaj dummying Kassian shoud make Leaf fans jelly
Arber Xhekaj about Ryan Reaves' comments:
"Evidently, when a fight doesn't go your way, you want another shot at redeeming yourself. That's okay, I'll be ready."
"Evidently, when a fight doesn't go your way, you want another shot at redeeming yourself. That's okay, I'll be ready."
However, that was not enough to keep him up and playing full-time with the Montreal Canadiens, as he was sent down to play in the Minors. This came as a shock for Zhekaj, who had the following comments on the decision.
Arber Xhekaj on the #Habs decision to send him to the AHL:
«It was a little bit of a surprise it made sense from their point. They just want to see me play a lot of minutes and develop my game.»
«It was a little bit of a surprise it made sense from their point. They just want to see me play a lot of minutes and develop my game.»
Xhekaj Could Benefit From Development in the AHL
While the decision came as a shock to most, it could be the right move for the long-term future of the Montreal Canadiens. Xhekaj has performed well, but he has the potential to be a top defenseman. Under the current circumstances, he needs the ice time in order to develop his game.
#Habs Martin St-Louis on what Arber Xhekaj needs to focus on while down in Laval: "just be a pro, just work. You guys are making a bigger deal out of this; he's a young player, it's part of his process to reach the highest ceiling he's going to reach as a professional athlete."
However, he will surely be missed whenever something goes haywire and needs to be addressed on the ice.
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