Montreal Canadiens: Florian Xhekaj’s Offensive Game Is Flourishing In Front Of Us

The Montreal Canadiens took out a flier on the Sheriff’s younger brother, Florian ‘The Deputy’ Xhekaj, as coined by Mama (Simona) Xhekaj, and the early season returns look pretty nice.

Xhekaj can dust it up in the opposition’s crease or clear out the ice in front of his goaltender with ease. The point is, he is a physical specimen, who is known to answer the bell, much like Arber and like his older brother, there is something more in their game that is still coming through. The offence, however, is something that the Canadiens thought could be developed and grown, and Florian has taken the confidence gained from being drafted and used it to show some nice flare with the puck on his stick.

He is strong on his skates, and for his size, he is very mobile, and when he finds space he is able to burn with his speed. If that doesn’t work, then he can drop his shoulder and drive the puck toward the next, using his length to keep defenders on his back and away from the puck. And every once in a while, he does something that has you saying, “I didn’t know that he could do that.”

The Xhekaj story is a very good one, but simply saying that Florian was drafted because of the family name, is an insult to the Brantford Bulldogs forward. The fact that he is as rugged as his older brother, and finding his offence at a younger age, 19, than Arber, who is 22, and still growing his game. The late bloomer story is a fun one, and, I’m pulling for The Deputy to continue wowing Ontario Hockey League crowds with his fists, a big hit or a nice offensive play.

I think he deserves to be coined a unicorn, but I think that he will achieve great things. Simply put, the hard-working family trait will aid him well. So long as that continues, the possibility of him being a top-nine staple for the Habs remains a possibility.

You can’t teach his size, 6’3″ 183 lbs and growing… and he knows how to use his large frame and abrasive style to create problems for his opponents. Throwing a big hit and creating on. the forecheck with his hard-nosed style are all traits that a coach will love. With his growing offence, when and if he arrives in the NHL, Martin St Louis could be just what he needs to really pop off offensively.

With a continued Xhekaj effort, Florian is sure to have a great year. I think it would be unfair to rate or predict his ceiling because he appears in no rush to slow down. All steam ahead for the Brantford Bulldog himself, The Deputy – Florian Xhekaj.

Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!

Write for us!