Arber Xhekaj returned to the Montreal Canadiens on a one-year deal, but with how crowded the blueline is, there have been discussions of moving him to forward. It isn't necessarily ideal, but it is a way to get him on the ice that might also give him and his brother Florian a chance to live out a childhood dream.
Florian Xhekaj is currently fighting for one of the final roster spots in training camp with the Canadiens. The former fourth-round pick made his NHL debut last season, appearing in five games, but is looking for a more permanent roster spot in Montreal.
Recently, Florian was asked about the idea of playing on the same line as his brother Arber. He not only talked about how it has been something they have discussed for a long time but also who he thinks would be a great fit as the third player and provided a perfect nickname.
"Obviously, growing up we would always talk about that, if we ever got to play together, but he is a defenseman. If we got on the same line, I think me, him, and [Josh Anderson] would be like a demolition line," Florian Xhekaj said.
Montreal Canadiens' Demolition Line might actually work
While Florian might have jokingly mentioned Anderson alongside his brother Arber to create that fourth line, it is something that Martin St. Louis might want to try out at some point, even though Arber Xhekaj has primarily been a defenseman.
Those three together would certainly be the most physical line the Canadiens could put together after Arber led the team in hits last season while Anderson was fourth. Meanwhile, Florian is another physical player but is able to do a little more offensively at this point in his career.
Earlier this summer, former Laval head coach Pascal Vincent described Florian Xhekaj as a 'unicorn' because he can play any position on a line, can be physical but has a good stick, and can help on the power play and penalty kill.
A player like that, alongside the more physical Arber and then adding a veteran like Josh Anderson, has the potential to be a good fourth line. It is one that could close the gap with a team like the Carolina Hurricanes, who were clearly the more physical team in the playoffs last season.
Right now the brothers are in different groups during training camp with Florian in Group B and Arber in Group A. It seems unlikely fans will get to see the Demolition Line during the preseason but as the regular season goes along that might change.
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