Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj settles into depth role

Arber Xhekaj is finding his footing on the Montreal Canadiens’ blue line without a big jump in ice time. The defenceman told Sportsnet that he spent the summer reviewing his stick work on video and that clearer defensive assignments have helped him make simpler decisions with the puck.

In Montreal’s Nov. 3 game against Winnipeg, Xhekaj set up a one-timer in the second period, then got back to break up a Jets zone entry on the same shift, Sportsnet reported. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said in late October that it was the best he had seen Xhekaj play in the NHL.

Through Saturday’s game in Toronto, Xhekaj had played fewer than 12 minutes in seven of his 16 appearances this season. His season high was 14:26 against Buffalo on Oct. 13. He played 65 regular-season games in 2025–26 and appeared in 13 playoff games, six against Tampa Bay and seven against Buffalo.

Xhekaj told Sportsnet that losing ice time and coming out of the lineup last season had led him to try to do too much. He said he now focuses on what he can contribute in the minutes he gets. The Montreal Gazette reported in October that St. Louis said the team’s defensive adjustments had helped Xhekaj and that he was being more selective about when to make a hit.