This week, Arber Xhekaj was the improbable topic of a hockey argument that included some of Montreal Canadiens’ greatest names.
One subject that was constantly brought up at the Mirage earlier this week when a group of former Canadiens champions got together was toughness, or the lack thereof.
All of the individuals in the room were Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, and Serge Savard. Jean Perron, who coached the team to the 1986 Cup, was also a member.
Afterward, Perron had a contentious chat with the press. According to him, Savard continuously questioned Xhekaj’s lack of playing time.
Savard stated, “They have an incredible club, but two of their greatest players are five feet six or seven inches tall,” according to Perron. “Either they’re going to be protected, or they’re going to get hit out there.”
That’s rude. Additionally, it is from a Hall of Fame defender who wore the same jersey and won eight Stanley Cups.
Lane Hutson scored 78 points in 82 games this season, which are outstanding stats for a defenseman his size. With 51 goals and 88 points, Cole Caufield had a successful season. Ivan Demidov contributed 62 points in his first season as a winger.
Not one of them is physically imposing. That’s the issue.
The benchmark for toughness is Xhekaj’s cheap bargain.
Robinson stated it straightforwardly as well, and his name still ranks first in a number of team defensive statistics that Hutson is aiming for.
Robinson commented, “I love watching Hutson play; he’s so smart on the field.” “I anticipate him to be OK as long as he thinks things through and doesn’t get crushed by the titans in this league.”
Savard went further, drawing a comparison between this Canadiens core and the 1986 champions that he helped construct. “That team had more snarl,” he remarked.
“No one tries to destroy your best player,” Savard stated. “We had it. Aside from one person, I’m not certain this group has it.”
Xhekaj is the guy there. Considering how important these legends consider him to be for insurance, his cap hit was surprisingly cheap at only $1,300,000.
His own figures won’t wow anyone. A minus-8 rating for the year and four points in 65 games. But these remarks were never intended for that.
Is it possible to consciously create toughness, or is it merely a personnel issue waiting to be exchanged? Kent Hughes has gotten the message loud and clear.
With a 7-3-0 record in their previous 10 games, Montreal concluded the season with 106 points, good for sixth place overall in the league. The findings are present. The armor, according to these four males, still isn’t.
Before a genuine Cup run, it is no longer a luxury to incorporate grit. The franchise legends keep pointing at what’s becoming the missing link.
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