Montreal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj has transformed early-season uncertainty into a story of resilience and growth, forcing his way into a permanent lineup spot with a string of consistently strong performances.
From Healthy Scratch to Lineup Staple
The 2025-26 campaign presented significant mental challenges for the 24-year-old blueliner. Despite a solid performance in a 6-1 loss to Tampa Bay on December 11, where he logged 16:01 of ice time and led the team with five hits, Xhekaj found himself as a healthy scratch for the next game in Pittsburgh. A brief return to the lineup, which included scoring a goal against the New York Rangers, was followed by another scratch.
"It's pretty tough," Xhekaj admitted in mid-December. "I try not to focus on those things. Just try to take it day by day and just keep working. That's all I can do. I can control my work ethic."
An injury to veteran Mike Matheson opened the door for his return, and Xhekaj has not looked back. He is set to play his 14th consecutive game against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, January 12, 2026, proving he is now a difficult player for head coach Martin St. Louis to remove from the lineup.
Confidence and Versatility Pay Dividends
The key to Xhekaj's resurgence is a clear and simple shift in mindset. "Confidence is kind of getting back and I'm trusting myself more, so I think that's kind of what's changed," Xhekaj stated. "When you're in and out of the lineup it's tough because you're thinking any mistake's going to get you out... But I don't worry about that stuff anymore, I just play."
This renewed self-belief is evident on the ice. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound defenceman is moving the puck with more authority and contributing offensively while maintaining his signature physical presence. In a recent 4-0 loss to Detroit, he led the team with eight hits over 12:34 of ice time and was not on the ice for any goals against.
Coach St. Louis has taken notice. "I feel he's played extremely well as of late," St. Louis said. "I feel he's found a lot of consistency, he's played to his identity... We got to know what we're getting, and I feel we have that right now, which solidifies our defence."
A Crucial Right-Side Solution
Perhaps Xhekaj's most valuable asset has been his adaptability. As a left-handed shot, his comfort playing on the right side provides crucial flexibility for the Canadiens' defensive corps. This ability allowed left-shot Kaiden Guhle to return from injury and play on his natural left side, and it does the same for prospect Lane Hutson.
Xhekaj embraces the challenge. "When a coach puts you there they obviously think you can handle it," he said. "I use my confidence to play on that side... I like hitting better with this (right) shoulder. I like shooting better on the off-side (one-timer)."
His development path has drawn commentary from those who have been in his skates. Former Canadiens defenceman and assistant coach Rick Green expressed concern earlier in the season about managing a young player's confidence. "The mental part of the game is huge," Green noted on a Hockey Inside/Out Show bonus episode. "I just am very concerned that they're not handling him the right way."
Those concerns appear to have been alleviated as Xhekaj's play has done the talking. Earning US$1.3 million this season and heading toward restricted free agency on July 1, 2026, Xhekaj is demonstrating he is much more than a physical enforcer. He is becoming a versatile, reliable, and confident NHL defenceman, solidifying his place in the Canadiens' present and future.
