Journalist Sounds the Alarm on Arber Xhekaj and Explains How He Thinks He Lost His Identity
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Journalist Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports has indeed just made a sad statement involving young Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
As part of a recent segment on the brand-new podcast hosted by Tony Marinaro, Anthony Martineau demonstrated just how much the young Xhekaj has completely lost his identity.
It's sad to see how lost Xhekaj has become, and how afraid he seems to be of being himself on the ice.
See the striking and unacceptable statistic below.
"Only 3 hits in his last 6 games for Arber Xhekaj.
No matter whose fault it is, it can't continue like this.
What sets number 72 apart in this league is his physicality - that's how he makes an impact."
- Anthony Martineau
No matter whose fault it is, it can't continue like this.
What sets number 72 apart in this league is his physicality - that's how he makes an impact."
- Anthony Martineau
Indeed!
Sad reality, Arber Xhekaj is no longer himself on the ice
Three hits in six games, for a player like Xhekaj, is absolutely impossible to understand.
Yes, it's truly sad to see the Sheriff's fire fading away (game after game).
Unfortunately, as Martineau points out, an Arber Xhekaj who no longer hits at all isn't very useful for his team.
In my humble opinion, the Montreal Canadiens' coaches should let Xhekaj be himself and allow him to play more freely. Because right now, it's quite incredible how tense he looks and how "bland" he's been on the ice.
Let's recall that Xhekaj was benched by St-Louis for the entire third period against the Canucks, logging just 6 minutes and 37 seconds. But in tonight's win over the Kraken, his ice time jumped to nearly 12 minutes, he managed only one hit.
Arber Xhekaj, 24 years old, is a left-handed defenseman standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds. He has recorded 1 point in 10 games this season, along with 15 penalty minutes and a -2 rating.
Jayden Struble, also 24 years old, is a left-handed defenseman standing 6 feet tall and weighing 207 pounds. He has registered 2 points in 7 games this season, with 2 penalty minutes and a +3 rating.
Struble has officially surpassed Xhekaj in Martin St-Louis' defensive hierarchy. It's very clear when comparing their respective ice times.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 29|1061 ANSWERS Journalist Sounds the Alarm on Arber Xhekaj and Explains How He Thinks He Lost His Identity Which player will play more games this season in your opinion? | ||
| Arber Xhekaj | 778 | 73.3 % |
| Jayden Struble | 283 | 26.7 % |
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