A discussion regarding Montreal Canadiens prospect Jayden Struble was the subject of a heated debate on the show’s set JiCThursday.
Host Jean-Charles Lajoie quickly displayed his colors by letting it be known that he had “nothing to wax regarding Struble” who, according to him, will have no role with the CH due to congestion on the blue line, and whose reputation was “helium blown by the remarkable performances of Jordan Harris [avec l’Université Northeastern]».
Journalist Anthony Martineau, who was to present his case on the young defender, then explained that he saw in Struble a future fifth or sixth defender superior to Arber Xhekaj.
“If you expect Struble to be a mobile fifth or sixth defender, good at throwing, physical, he’s going to meet your expectations,” he said.
Struble in front of Xhekaj? The assertion startled Jean-Charles.
“Good luck! Because Xhekaj is taking a lot of games ahead. He sells a lot of tickets and becomes a darling in Montreal. We discover that he is a furious good hockey player, whose progression for two years is exponential, progression that we have not measured at Struble.
“We did not measure it, why? Because he plays less [il a été souvent blessé], because we see it less, replied Martineau. Struble is more mobile than Xhekaj, is better at raising than Xhekaj.
Jean-Charles Lajoie acknowledged that Struble showed a lot of confidence and aplomb during his interviews. However, he finds that, on the ice, “the boots do not follow the chops”.
“I don’t know where you come from that he has superior mobility to Arber Xhekaj. Excuse me, Antho, seriously …”, launched Jean-Charles, a little exasperated.
Watch the full debate in the video above.