Georges Laraque wouldn’t be surprised if Xhekaj doesn’t finish the year in Montreal

On November 7, the Lightning visited the Bell Centre to take on the Canadiens.

Towards the end of the game, Arber Xhekaj punched Tanner Jeannot during a stoppage in play, earning him a penalty.

After the game, Martin St-Louis was not happy and criticized his young player in front of reporters because the Canadiens were still in the game and because the penalty hurt the team’s chances.

Arber Xhekaj is a robust player who brings a different dimension to the CH line-up, but after that game, we never saw the Arber Xhekaj we know so well.

But why not?

Because he’s afraid of playing physical and doesn’t want to get his club into trouble. He wants to please his coach, which is normal for any player his age making his NHL debut…

But that’s who Arber Xhekaj is. We’re talking about a player who loves to hit the opposition and serve up big body checks.

The CH defenseman, who hasn’t played since November 16 due to injury, was sent to Laval earlier today.

Does the Habs want to send him a message? Is it because of congestion on the club’s blue line? Is it to allow him to play more minutes, before seeing him back in the NHL?

Georges Laraque (BPM Sports) maintains that the Habs may be preparing a transaction involving WiFi. And the former CH veteran goes even further, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if Xhekaj doesn’t finish the year in Montreal:

If this team continues to get by without him, they (CH management) will say they don’t need him. Georges Laraque

Is the Habs preparing to trade Arber Xhekaj? That’s what @GeorgesLaraque thinks, who feels the team is misrepresenting the young defenseman.

Don’t miss his full discussion with @stephgonzz on the subject.https://t.co/FqFStCyxge pic.twitter.com/nXxDCkAcJN

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) December 4, 2023

The Habs have lost four of their last seven games.

That said, we haven’t necessarily noticed Xhekaj’s absence. In fact, in recent games, Jayden Struble, who has a similar style to Xhekaj and also throws from the left, has been highly praised…

Everyone knows that the Habs will have to make decisions at some point, because there isn’t room for everyone in the big club’s line-up. There are a lot of talented young defensemen in the organization, and they can’t all play…

But the question is whether the Habs have reached “that moment” with the emergence of Struble and Gustav Lindström.

Because if they have, things could start moving pretty quickly in the next few weeks.

Breaking news

– Here you go.

I wonder how much of a factor Gustav Lindstrom being a right-handed D-man & waiver-eligible affected the decision to send Arber Xhekaj to Laval.

Plus Lindstrom’s 3G in 11GP on a team with many forwards in goalless droughts.

Then there’s Jayden Struble’s overall solid play.

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 4, 2023

– Former Canadian Louie Belpedio is on the waivers.

Placed on NHL waivers today: Louie Belpedio (PHI).

– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 4, 2023

– Well done.

For all levels of competition | IIHF mandates neck protector https://t.co/BUurBTI0VI

– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) December 4, 2023

– Oh.

Calgary #Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom left the team’s practice on Monday with an apparent right-hand injury.

According to @salimvalji, Markstrom was struck by a shot in the non-protected part of the hand and was rushed off the ice: https://t.co/g2WEkbhfj6

– TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 4, 2023