The Montreal Canadiens are going to need to find a new head coach for the Laval Rocket after it was announced that Pascal Vincent was leaving to join the Seattle Kraken as an assistant head coach. Vincent had been the Rocket's head coach the past two seasons, and they had great success under Vincent with winning the North Division both times with 101 and 90 points, respectively.
Recently, Vincent was on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro to reflect on his time with the Rocket and spoke very highly of Florian Xhekaj and how much he is able to do for a team. "I think Florian is also a unicorn in his own way," Vincent said. "He can play center, he can win faceoffs, he can play power play, he can play PK, he can play wing, he can fight, can shoot, can skate. I mean he's got a good stick, he's got size."
"I think this guy is going to be a good player in the NHL and I think he's going to be a good playoff player, and we need that in Montreal."
Xhekaj was a fourth-round pick by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Draft and has spent the past two seasons in Laval. In 136 games, Xhekaj has 41 goals and 23 assists with a +/- of +17 while adding another five points in 18 AHL playoff games.
Does Florian Xhekaj have a spot with the Montreal Canadiens next season?
Xhekaj is entering the final year of his entry-level contract before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. This past season, he got his first taste of the NHL as he appeared in five games and had an assist while averaging a little more than 9:30 in ice time.
Looking ahead to next season, Xhekaj could be in a good position to begin the season with Montreal, depending on how the roster works itself out this summer. Xhekaj's best role next season would be in the bottom six and could be a replacement for Kirby Dach or Brendan Gallagher. Dach could be a restricted free agent if the Canadiens extend a qualifying offer, but that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Brendan Gallagher is expected to be traded as he has already indicated.
A versatile player like Xhekaj, as Pascal describes him, gives Martin St. Louis a lot of flexibility and options when building out the bottom two lines. He can also be a key part for the penalty kill next season.
This is one player who fans should be excited about seeing in Montreal next season.
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