Arber Xhekaj had a very eventful training camp with the Montreal Canadiens.
He fought several times, was ejected from two preseason games, and delivered big hits. We know about his physical side, but he has also recently shown some impressive qualities in both offense and defense. To me, he clearly deserves a spot in the top 6 defensemen.
Does Arber Xhekaj not deserve to play in the NHL’s top 6?
However, Richard Labbé doesn’t share the same opinion. During the “Le Tailgate Weekend” show on BPM Sports, Labbé said that Arber Xhekaj wouldn’t make the top 6 of a strong team. He also stated that Lane Hutson, despite his offensive prowess, wouldn’t be in the top 4 of a Cup-contending team.
Wow.
I disagree. Even though Hutson is not the best defender defensively, his offensive contribution is huge. Defensemen like him, fast and capable of moving the puck, are very rare and valuable for jumpstarting the offense. As for Xhekaj, he’s not just about his physical side. He has improved defensively and possesses a powerful shot that can make a difference.
With his size, mobility, and ability to play both ends of the ice, Xhekaj is a unique defenseman. Both Hutson and Xhekaj have what it takes to carve out a spot in the top 6, even on a good team.
What about you, do you agree with journalist Richard Labbé’s comments? Do you think Montreal Canadiens fans are overvaluing young players like Xhekaj and Hutson?
