Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has made several friends this season among the team’s fans, mostly due to his toughness and fighting skills.
But the 21-year-old full-back has also been able to do well offensively and defensively. He ranks first on the team in goals (5) and second in points (13) and differential (-3).
Despite everything, he has seen his playing time drop drastically in recent games and Maxim Lapierre does not understand why.
“There is a little something that annoys me and it is his ice time, he admitted on Tuesday at La Poche Bleue at noon. We have a youngster who will be very important. Now I’m watching the last four games and it’s 12, 10, 11 and 11 minutes of ice time… I really don’t understand.
“I want to see him 20 minutes a game on the ice. He’s no worse than Joel Edmundson and no defenseman in the roster right now. I don’t understand why he isn’t given the opportunity to develop faster. We won’t make the playoffs this year, he’s a guy who plays well, yes he makes mistakes like everyone else, but I think he has a good ability with the puck, he has a good shot and he’s physical.
“Let’s give him the chance to make mistakes, he’s still just 21.”
See the full intervention of Maxim Lapierre who also talks regarding Jakob Pelletier, the situation with the Canucks and the culture with the Boston Bruins in the video above.
