Montreal Canadiens lose Arber Xhekaj for the rest of the season
Photo credit: NHL
The Montreal Canadiens lost their defenseman Arber Xhekaj for the rest of the season after major surgery.
Xhekaj is set to undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday and should be ready for the start of the next season.
"Defenseman Arber Xhekaj will undergo season-ending surgery to his left shoulder tomorrow. He is expected to be ready for next season."
Xhekaj, 23, is the Habs' toughest player. Whenever he's not in the lineup, his absence is felt.
Over the weekend, in a game against the Maple Leafs, Michael Pezzetta had to fight Ryan Reaves when the enforcer wanted to drop the gloves. If he had been there, Xhekaj would probably have been the one to do it.
"This is why Xhekaj is a must in the lineup when the Canadiens have settled on their final six. They'll have to trade some, but one can't be him.
They have no other physical force. Pezzetta having to take that fight is shameful. Bantamweights didn't fight Mike Tyson."
They have no other physical force. Pezzetta having to take that fight is shameful. Bantamweights didn't fight Mike Tyson."
The next day, the Habs were facing the New York Rangers and Matt Rempe in what was a long-awaited game for Canadiens fans. Xhekaj and Rempe could have given fans one of the best fights of the year, but they'll have to wait until next season.
| POLL | ||
9 AVRIL | 379 ANSWERS Montreal Canadiens lose Arber Xhekaj for the rest of the season Do you think the Montreal Canadiens' defenfeman Arber Xhekaj is the best enforcer in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 72 | 19 % |
| No | 307 | 81 % |
| List of polls | ||
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