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![\"Montreal](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/654050.webp.webp\" "\\"Montreal")
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\nArber Xhekaj’s role takes another hit ahead of Canadiens game vs Blue Jackets
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Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n
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Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Things are not going well for the young Montreal Canadiens defenseman, Arber Xhekaj, right now.<\/p>\n
On that note, the excellent performance by Jayden Struble last night unfortunately represents yet another piece of very bad news for Xhekaj.<\/p>\n
On X, advanced stats accounts even showed that he was the Canadiens’ best defenseman last night.<\/p>\n
Without diving into complex numbers, let’s just say he played an outstanding game and will most likely be back in the lineup tomorrow night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n
Struble was solid at both ends of the ice against the top team in the Eastern Conference, just imagine that.<\/p>\n
When will we see Arber Xhekaj back in uniform?<\/p>\n
Right now, all spots on the Canadiens’ blue line are taken.<\/p>\n
“The Sheriff” will have to stay patient and keep watching the team’s success from the stands, at least as long as the six regular defensemen remain healthy.<\/p>\n
Jayden Struble, 24, has 10 points in 47 games this season, with a +2 rating. He is a 6-foot defenseman who was selected in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens in 2019.<\/p>\n
Arber Xhekaj, 25, has 2 points in 55 games this season, along with 108 penalty minutes (-6 rating). He is a 6-foot-4 defenseman who signed with the Montreal Canadiens as an undrafted free agent in 2021.<\/p>\n
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n
POLL<\/p>\n
15 HOURS AGO|404 ANSWERS<\/p>\n
Arber Xhekaj’s role takes another hit ahead of Canadiens game vs Blue Jackets<\/p>\n
Do you believe that Jayden Struble has become a better defenseman than Arber Xhekaj?<\/p>\n
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Arber Xhekaj’s role takes another hit ahead of Canadiens game vs Blue Jackets
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