If you look through the Montreal Canadiens record books there have been an array of character players, guys that would drop the gloves at a moment's notice against anybody that dared to challenge them.
A few names that come to mind are Larry Robinson, who did it all, from end-to-end rushes, bone-crunching hits and throwing bombs toe-to-toe with the best of them. Then there was Chris 'Knuckles' Nilan whose nickname speaks for itself, if he was on the ice, it was a good idea to behave and leave the star players alone, unless you wanted a problem.
John Ferguson is another guy, who patrolled the ice protecting Jean Beliveau, earning the distinction of one of the league's toughest customers. Despite his smaller stature, he feared nobody and would drop the mitts with anybody. There are also guys like Georges Laraque and Donald Brashear, who were clear heavyweights, although they weren't with Montreal for long they left their marks.
Arber Xhekaj, one of the top five tough guys in the NHL?
Montreal might not be as feared physically as they were five or even 10 years ago, but they have a few guys that can handle themselves. Michael Pezzetta, while not a heavyweight can handle himself, and doesn't back down from anybody. Then there is Arber Xhekaj, who fits the bill of a true heavyweight fighter, who isn't a walk in the park to chuck knuckles with.
Former NHLer and tough guy in his own right - Paul Bissonnette - took the time to discuss Xhekaj during a segment on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast alongside his podcast partner Ryan Whitney or 'Whit' for short. The pair talked about Xhekaj's toughness and the fact that he is only 23 years old, so he has plenty of time to continue throwing his weight around in the league.
“He’ll be Top 5 in no time if he ain’t already there”
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) August 7, 2024
Is Wifi in your Top 5 for NHL enforcers?https://t.co/H2asmmniJU pic.twitter.com/QuOam4uRsw
Biz believes that if Xhekaj isn't already one of the top five premier fighters in the league, then he will soon achieve that feat. Xhekaj has fought basically every tough guy there is in the league and fared particularly well. And, even though he has started choosing his battles a little smarter, I don't foresee him backing down from anybody.
He has fought Ryan Reaves and didn't look bothered by the challenge, I would say he got the best of him, but a rematch is to see who gets the upper hand. He also fought Nicolas Deslauriers, in a scrap where Deslauriers caught him by surprise. But for the most part, Xhekaj has handled himself like a seasoned veteran against guys that the majority of the league would shy away from.
It's amazing that nobody else saw this guy and put a claim in for his services, because Biz is right, Xhekaj really can do it all. The Sheldon Souray comparison is a good one, he can hammer the puck, he can hit hard, skate fast and defend quite well. But he has no problem protecting his teammates and he has the ability to pot 10-15 goals for the next 10-12 seasons.