Arber Xhekaj: The Pros
First off, if you are bringing someone in, you have to be taking someone out. So a current Montreal Canadiens defender has to come out, and it's not too difficult to figure out which one that is.
There are the untouchables on the blueline. Lane Hutson has been the best rookie this year, and Kaiden Guhle is young and looking fantastic. Mike Matheson is a steady, veteran presence, and ever since he was acquired from the Nashville Predators, Alexandre Carrier has really steadied the defense corp.
So that leaves Jayden Struble and David Savard. One is a young player in his second NHL season and looks to be a stalwart force for years to come. One is a 14 year veteran who has announced that he will retire at the end of this season.
Its clear what the people want and both Xhekaj and Savard serve a similar purpose. While Savard isn't a big fighter like Xhekaj, they both are phyiscal, stay-at-home type defenders. Both players scored 1 goal this season. Savard registered 14 assists, but Xhekaj had 118 penalty minutes.
So its a two-fold argument. To have Xhekaj, you lose Savard. To keep Savard, you lose Xhekaj. It's a simple as comparing the two, and finding what each does better than the other.
Youth
Arber Xhekaj is 24 years old. David Savard is 34 years old. Savard was drafted in the NHL in 2009, when Xhekaj was just 8 years old.
But it isn't as simple as just "smaller number is better." There are things that are better about an older player (which we will get to), and things that are worse.
But the thing is both players are physical defenders, and being a physical defender puts a lot more miles on your body. Xhekaj has a decade less of experience and age, but lacks the wear and tear of countless hits, both given and received, and blocked shots.
There is always a fear of injury and the body given out. And there really is no predicting on whether an injury will strike, and whether that will be serious or not. But a younger player with less miles will be less likely to be hurt.
Speed
The game of hockey has never been faster, and you need to be fast to survive. Skating has been one of the most important skills that has developed in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years. And while Arber Xhekaj isn't the fastest or smoothest skater, he still moves quite well for his age, and better than Savard.
According to Dobber Frozen Tools, Arber Xhekaj had a top-speed this year of 21.26 mph. Savard's top speed was 20.65 mph. While that doesn't seem like a lot, in these tight games, we are looking at the difference of inches, and that couple of decimels of mph could make all the difference.
But also, Xhekaj registered going over 20 mph 24 times, and over 18 mph 152 times. While Savard only skated faster than 20 mph 3 times, and over 18 mph 78 times.
Xhekaj doesn't just have a faster top speed, he is faster more often, adding a dimension to the Montreal Canadiens defence.
Protection
Arber Xhekaj is the kind of player that the opposition knows exactly when he gets on and off the ice. He is a physically imposing presence at 6'4 and 240lbs, and more importantly, he knows how to use it.
Xhekaj can fight anyone, and could beat practically anyone in the league. He is right in the middle of every scrum and will make opponents pay for what they do against the smaller Montreal Canadiens players.
Now, some of that could be said about David Savard as well. Savard is a big, physical defenceman, and while he doesn't out and out fight like Xhekaj does, he does get involved with scrums and the physical side of the game.
But the truth is, Savard is not as intimidating as Xhekaj, especially at this point in Savard's career.
Gaining Experience
This is less about the Montreal Canadiens of today, but the Montreal Canadiens of tomorrow.
Arber Xhekaj is just 24 years old, and a player that is signed until 2026, and most fans would love to see him signed for more.
And even if Xhekaj for whatever reason doesn't resign in Montreal, he will still be a bigger part of the Canadiens future than David Savard.
Savard has said he will retire at the end of the season, and that makes sense. After 14 years of hard-hitting, physical hockey, Savard has been slowing down and it protects a body that has already been banged up.
And playoff experience is not something you can buy. Xhekaj would gain immeasurable experience playing in the playoffs this year, and it could help him develop his game. This wouldn't necessarily help the Canadiens today, but could help them in the years to come.