Arber Xhekaj receives high praise from Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios

By Arnab Mondal

Modified Oct 24, 2023 06:02 GMT

Arber Xhekaj, a rising star on the Montreal Canadiens blue line, recently received high praise from former Hall of Famer and Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios. Chelios renowned for his tough and physical play, expressed his admiration for Xhekaj's contributions to the Canadiens and the significant impact he is having in the league.

Chelios began by acknowledging the name Arber Xhekaj is making for himself, particularly as one of the league's premier tough guys. He said:

"What a name he's making for himself as one of the preeminent tough guys in the league."

Chelios went on to highlight the value that Xhekaj brings to the Canadiens' blue line, stating:

"He's dropping the gloves, very physical guy, 6'3... He makes room for all these other guys and being that big and physical, very dangerous, and a threat."

"He may not be the greatest skater, but he makes up for it with his energy."

Chelios emphasized the importance of players who can surprise and make a difference, especially on a younger team. He noted:

"He probably makes the guys on his team, especially when you mentioned a younger team... He's going to be a big addition for that team."

Chris Chelios' words of praise for Arber Xhekaj underline the impact the young defenseman is making for the Montreal Canadiens. With his physical style of play and ability to create opportunities for his teammates, Xhekaj is poised to be a significant asset for the Canadiens as they continue their rebuild and aim for a successful playoff run.

Arber Xhekaj Shines with Assist and Penalty Minutes in Canadiens' Victory

Arber Xhekaj made his presence felt on Monday, contributing with an assist in the Montreal Canadiens' 3-1 road victory against the Buffalo Sabres. This point marked his first since his assist in a wild 6-5 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 11.

In addition to his assist, Xhekaj showcased his two-way game with a plus-1 rating, while testing the opposition goaltender with two shots on goal. However, he also found himself in the penalty box once during the game, earning a minor penalty. It's worth noting that Xhekaj has been involved in at least one infraction in four of the five games he's played this season, amassing a total of 23 penalty minutes.

Xhekaj's willingness to play a physical game and accumulate penalty minutes can be an asset for fantasy managers in formats that reward such behavior.