We still don’t know if Arber Xhekaj’s injury is serious and if he will miss any matches, but one thing is certain, we have reason to be worried. After all, the guy wears a splint on his right shoulder.
With Joel Edmundson still on the sidelines, depth is being tested.
Seeing Arber Xhekaj wearing a brace puts pressure on club depth https://t.co/nD6XAsd55R
— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) February 13, 2023
The Canadian got a day off today, but will return to action tomorrow once morest the Chicago Blackhawks. The morning training will probably give us some answers regarding the situation at the blue line.
Will Xhekaj play? Will a defender have to be recalled from Laval?
At this point, the second option deserves to be analysed.
Does William Trudeau, who is by far the Rocket’s best defender these days, deserve an audition with the big club? This is one of the questions that was asked by Jérémy Rainville in the podcast Sortie de Zone.
Zone outing, season 4 | Episode 40: Aren’t You Entertained? https://t.co/TtoMdiFHqH
– The Sports Press (@LaPresse_Sports) February 13, 2023
At 20, Trudeau may be Laval’s best defender in recent games, but we agree that without the injuries, he shouldn’t be where he is now.
I understand that he has a good attitude and that he wants to learn, but Simon-Olivier Lorange wonders if it’s not too fast. After all, the youngster signed a pro contract at the last minute this fall and his 13 points in 35 games isn’t enough to blow our minds.
He is a good defender, certainly, and a call-up to Montreal may still be possible. For what? Because of those who can be recalled, there are Mattias Norlinder, Nicolas Beaudin, Corey Scheuneman and Otto Leskinen. As for the last two, they are older and their experience might weigh in the balance.
But Lorange had a good point: the Canadian is in a period of development, so we have to develop. At 27 and 26 respectively, Schueneman and Leskinen are good defensive defenders, but they don’t necessarily represent the future of CH on the blue line. It’s a bit too late for them.
On the other hand, Beaudin (a former first-round pick), Trudeau (who is only 20 years old) and Norlinder (he is starting to get late in his case, but…) are young and might fight for a position in time. full with the big club in a few years. It will be difficult since the defense prospect bank has guys like Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux. And that’s not counting Xhekaj, Guhle, Harris and Kovacevic who are already with the big club and who, in my opinion, have a head start.
There is also the context that works once morest Trudeau. Yes, tomorrow Montreal hosts one of the worst offenses (Blackhawks), but following that it’s on the road once morest the Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Surrounded by rookie players, it would be difficult for him to do well in Montreal.
Simon-Olivier did not mention Beaudin’s name in his speech, but Stéphane Waite did. The former CH goalkeeper coach wonders if it’s time to call him back, he who was acquired from the Blackhawks just at the start of the season. He wonders if Martin St-Louis and management would like to see him in action, that one.
Waite adds that Norlinder is a real disappointment according to him, but that’s another story.
With all that, Lorange doesn’t believe a recall is imminent. After all, the club has six healthy defenders. The Rocket is in the heat of the playoffs and we must think of him too. Recalling a defender would be a big loss for Jean-François Houle’s squad.
A lot of
– Wow.
An average of 8.6 million viewers followed Super Bowl LVII on RDS, TSN and CTV. An increase of 6% compared to Super Bowl LVI (2022). pic.twitter.com/NhaOo6Z8aW
— RDS RP (@RDS_RP) February 13, 2023
– To read.
#Pens GM Ron Hextall said last week he doesn’t have much interest in trading his 1st rd pick this year.
There is probably some nuance there. Also some intrigue for a team that is pot committed to this core.
Making sense of that and Pittsburgh’s season:https://t.co/Lxt2azAcTV
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 13, 2023
– A goalkeeper involved in the Jakob Chychrun deal?
Coyotes are being extra cautious as they try and complete a trade. Johnston says he believes the Kings are the frontrunners and they perhaps won’t to make this a bigger deal by including a goaltender in it.
However, nothing is imminent or close according to Johnston.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 13, 2023
– That’s the case to say.
There are positives compared to last season following 53 games! pic.twitter.com/tcdOGiOoq2
— The 5 to 7 (@5a7RDS) February 13, 2023
– Great signing for the Alouettes.
We have more great news to share!
We have signed running back A.J. Rose (Kentucky).
Welcome, AJ!
— Montreal Alouettes (@MTLAlouettes) February 13, 2023
