Eric Engels sees top four potential with Arber Xhekaj

The Montreal Canadiens have been building the team at each position methodically, in preparation for a significant contention window.

In the new regime headed by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, the Habs added Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar during the first round in 2022. Then in 2023 David Reinbacher joined the fold and at the most recent draft, Ivan Demidov was selected at fifth, then Michael Hage at 21. Some later picks will prove to be important pieces for Montreal and trade acquisitions also.

But a free agent signee that was overlooked during his OHL draft year has shone brightly with the Habs. After establishing himself with the Kitchener Rangers and Brantford (formerly Hamilton) Bulldogs, he was passed over during his draft year and the next two years. But he continued his strong play and his offensive explosion during the OHL playoffs in 2021-22 caught Marc Bergevin's eye.

Arber Xhekaj, the top four defender?

The Canadiens blueline has gone from a grizzled group during their Stanley Cup run to a young brigade. If Xhekaj does establish himself as a top-four defender, then they will become even younger. If Xhekaj does get a promotion to the top four, then Mike Matheson or David Savard could be the guy who gets moved to open space.

Certainly, Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson are staying put, and for Hutson to thrive, playing with Savard makes a lot of sense. It is a bit of a question mark how exactly the group would shape out, and who will slot where. However, I think putting Xhekaj in the top four will give the opposition a real challenge every night.

Engels mentioned that over his next 82 games, Xhekaj will undergo a huge step in his development. There are Guhle and Hutson who will for sure be the top four guys, and Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher could also be added to that conversation. But Xhekaj, like Engels mentioned could become a very good number-five guy, which would elevate the Habs defensive core in a big way.

Xhekaj learned a lot last season, especially in terms of his discipline and his poise, which could end up with him surprising many. While he came along late and much of what earned him a lot of attention was his physicality, he could turn a lot of heads in 2024-25. I have a vision of what Xhekaj can become and the path to get there is one that he can navigate.

If he proves able to do so, the Habs are going to have themselves a very good fourth or fifth defenseman. It isn't going to happen by the end of next season, but with a healthy season, he will certainly take a big step. I can't imagine Xhekaj not being an effective player regardless of where he plays and if he can continue maturing and growing the way he has, the Canadiens are going to have a unicorn-type defender on their hands.