Habs journalist urges Canadiens to consider Florian Xhekaj over struggling forward
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Joe Veleno's name is starting to spark more and more discussion with the Montreal Canadiens, and not necessarily for the right reasons.
He's not harmful or completely useless, but he's not bringing much to the team, and it's starting to bother some people.
That's partly why the excellent Charles-Alexis Brisebois, from DansLesCoulisse, has put forward a proposal involving Joe Veleno, but also young forward Florian Xhekaj.
His proposal is very simple: replace Veleno with the young Xhekaj.
Florian Xhekaj to replace Joe Veleno with the Montreal Canadiens?
That's what he's suggesting, indeed.
Veleno is struggling massively offensively, he's not excellent defensively (his differential proves it), and his success rate in the faceoff circle isn't very good. He has 0 points in 12 games with a -8 plus minus.
Here's an excerpt from his text:
"I understand that Kent Hughes wants to keep some salary flexibility by not having an extra player on the main roster.
But bringing up Florian Xhekaj to take Veleno out of the lineup, even for a single game, would help put pressure on the Quebecer.
Because right now, Veleno is a passenger.
And if a potential call-up of the Unicorn could create some internal pressure, energize a fourth line that's been stuck in neutral with some good old physical play, and motivate Arber in the process?"
But bringing up Florian Xhekaj to take Veleno out of the lineup, even for a single game, would help put pressure on the Quebecer.
Because right now, Veleno is a passenger.
And if a potential call-up of the Unicorn could create some internal pressure, energize a fourth line that's been stuck in neutral with some good old physical play, and motivate Arber in the process?"
And as he mentions, what would the Montreal Canadiens really be risking by making this change?
And you, what's your opinion on this proposal?
Joe Veleno, 25 years old, is a 6-foot-1, 201-pound forward, a first-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2018.
Florian Xhekaj, 21 years old, is a 6-foot-4, 204-pound forward, a fourth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2023.
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