Canadiens: Xhekaj Making Big Impact Lately
Kaiden Guhle will soon return to the Montreal Canadiens, and that means that one of Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj will have to make way. It shouldn't be Xhekaj...
thehockeynews.comHere’s the latest on Arber Xhekaj:
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A January 2026 roundup from The Hockey News highlights Xhekaj reinvigorating his game with increased physical play and disciplined defense as Montreal Canadiens teammates (like Guhle) consider lineup adjustments with his improved form. This suggests he’s firmly in the Canadiens’ plans as they push for stability on the blue line.[1]
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A 2025 piece notes Xhekaj’s continued development in Laval (AHL) with strong goal-scoring and penalty-killing duties, underscoring his role as a bottom-six forward with an edge who could contribute at the NHL level in the future. While not a guaranteed top-six role, this path emphasizes organizational trust in his two-way game and physical presence.[2]
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Additional video and outlet coverage through late 2024–2025 emphasizes his growth, leadership potential, and increasing involvement in pivotal moments for the Habs, including on-ice physical deterrence and leadership expectations as he matures into a key role on the roster.[6][7]
If you want, I can pull the most recent Canadiens-related clips or articles and summarize them with direct quotes. I can also assemble a quick timeline of Xhekaj’s season-by-season progression and highlight any notable shifts in role or discipline. Would you like that?
Citations:
- The Hockey News 2026 update on Xhekaj’s form and lineup implications.[1]
- Laval Rocket status and Xhekaj’s AHL performance framing his NHL potential.[2]
- Additional Habs coverage and leadership development context from related sources.[7][6]