Welcome back to PuckTalk MTL, where we tackle the biggest questions surrounding the Montreal Canadiens.
In this episode, Coach breaks down the current situation facing one of the Habs’ most polarizing defensemen and analyze whether his place in the lineup is truly at risk.
Kosta dives into Arber Xhekaj’s recent performances, usage trends, ice-time patterns, and how his role has evolved within the Canadiens’ defensive structure. Are defensive lapses, penalties, or system fit concerns impacting his standing? Or is this simply part of normal development for a young NHL defenseman? We also examine competition on the blue line, coaching decisions, and how roster construction could influence Xhekaj’s future in Montreal.
For Montreal Canadiens fans, this is a critical conversation about identity, physicality, and long-term development. For NHL and hockey fans, we explore how teams balance toughness with structure in today’s modern game. What does Xhekaj need to adjust to secure his spot? And how important is his unique skill set to the Habs’ playoff ambitions?
If you’re searching for Habs roster analysis, Arber Xhekaj updates, or in-depth Montreal Canadiens discussion, this episode delivers honest, data-driven insight.
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0:00 – Show Start
0:59 – Slaf With A Pair of Goals In The Olympic Opener
2:09 – Trust Vs Chaos
5:55 – Habs Prefer D Structure Iver Physicality
7:31 – Xhekaj’s Puck Moving Ceiling
9:13 – The Biggest Issue – Discipline & Penalty Risk
12:37 – The Caandiens’ Defensive Identity
14:10 – Where Do Xhekaj Fit?
19:21 – What Is His Usage Reality?
22:19 – Xhekaj’s System Fit Scoreboard
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In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis.
Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis.
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10 Comments
KEEP HIM! He’s the type of nearly irreplaceable unicorn every successful playoff team has and needs. Robidas needs to give him more minutes to help him develop and to avoid overusing the other D in seasons that could last 112 games.
Clout
Putting him on the wing fourth line he would be they won’t do because he don’t like tought guys he will find out if they trade him here stars wil get pounded
I'm in favor of keeping him because if we lose him, Josh Anderson will be singled out to do the whole "sherif" job himself. If we want to trade him, then we'd have to find other strong players ready to defend their teamate to replace him. In my opinion, we need a minimum of three very strong guys ready to drop the gloves.
Xhekaj, as we approach the playoffs, will only get limited minutes as MSL tightens the bench. Although Montreal will dress 6, MSL will only use 4-5, with the 6th used sparingly, if at all, unless there is a blowout (one way or the other) and/or an injury.
However, once the rosters expand after the trading deadline (assuming Hughes deals with the cap issues), expect Montreal to carry 7 into the playoffs by calling up Engstrom, with all three fighting for the last spot on a game-to-game basis, and Carrier looking over his shoulder.
Can’t stand how Robidas utilizes his D
Matheson playing 20 minutes more than Arber is a disgrace
When Matheson got hurt vs Marchand and missed a few games did this team suffer? No Arber stepped up played some PK and was fine.
The usage is more of overusage of Matheson than poor play from Arber.
How are you supposed to be focused when you’re cold and rusty sitting on the bench
PK is bottom 10, GA is bottom 10 in the league and Matheson plays full 2:00 of most PK’s & most 5v5 minutes of any other D
Chaos factor ?
Let me introduce you to Chaos Gazelle Mike Matheson
PK : Matheson’s net front battle / coverage = standing in front of the net front attacker… this is really outside of the box thinking, basically providing the opposition with 2 screens at the same time … brutal
Man to man over aggressive chasing down guys
Gets hit by pucks more than he actually blocks shots
M
Makes more mistakes per 60, unforced turnovers and unforced icings too but god forbid Matheson actually suffer any repercussions
He may not be soft but sure as heck isn’t Hard either, he has laid one body check this year where the opponent may I’ve felt anything more than a push
He avoids contact like the plague and would rather hot potato the puck for his partner to take the hit under pressure. It really no wonder he has the lungs to ply 25-27 minutes.
Say what you want about Carrier but he puts his body in the line to make the right play
Ghule gets injured cuz he plays very physical
Dobson may not be gritty but he absorbs contact to make the right play or wait for support
Hutson wins more puck battles than Matheson and better defensive iQ likely why pairing him with an offensive D like Dobson actually works
Matheson Good stick yes, quick feet to loose pucks on PK for a dump of course, doesn’t get caught as often on odd man rushes but I have very little to no trust when he has the puck anywhere near the opposition blue line
Shots get blocked, the few that hit the net are absolute muffins, others are crazy lasers that miss the net by 3-4’…
But overall he is not a defensive defenseman he is an elite skater that dresses like one
Meritocracy ❌
Hypocrisy ✅
Same goes for the goalies when Dobes started season well and the stubbornness to keep forcing a square peg in a round hole by playing Monty when he didn’t deserve the starts…
Not good for the confidence of the young players getting their ice time cut only to watch “veteran francophone birth certificate” guys out there making no worst mistakes or bringing much more in effort.
There is trend in the NHL for forwards to do more hitting than D men. In the playoffs last year this became a comparative factor in the finals with the,Oilers mirroring this trend, The Panthers were more balanced with hits distributed between F and D.. Habs are definitely more uneven like Edmon., which just does not work in the more heavy play. One other factor in this trend is that critical hitters in the forward group face excessive wear and tear.. Edmonton ‘s top hitter Hyman, was knocked out by Dallas, Missing his physicality dropped Edmontons stats critically, they were not replaced.
The Habs can”t win without him in advanced playoff rounds. They need to cultivate him. The Habs have weak D..
Everyone with more goals at the Olympics than Juraj Slafkovsky, all-time:
…
• Teemu Selanne
• Marian Hossa
• Olli Jokinen
• Daniel Alfredsson
• Pavel Bure
• Mats Sundin
• Jarome Iginla
That's the list.
Juraj isn’t done either, Obviously.
Keep him, play him and help him build his game.