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Trying out Arber Xhekaj on the wing: Mathias Brunet’s idea

The Canadiens currently have a very talented defence. Young, yes, but talented.

Mike Matheson (especially with the puck) is excellent, Kaiden Guhle is the general, David Savard has his role to play defensively and youngsters like Arber Xhekaj, Justin Barron and Jordan Harris are all very interesting assets for the team.

But let’s focus on Xhekaj for this article. In Montreal, we know his value and how important he is to the team. After all, he does everything well on the ice and is a unique player. But throughout the NHL, his value is also phenomenal. At least, that’s Mathias Brunet’s “semi-personal” opinion.

It’s going to take a lot to get this one out of Montreal…

Brunet also mentioned something very interesting that caught my attention. Montreal should test the defender on the wing. Not now, but eventually.

Really?

Lane Hutson may be coming sooner than we think – I’ll come back to that later – Adam Engstrom is a highly-regarded prospect on the organizational chart, Kaiden Guhle is Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson is under contract for two more seasons after this one. So there are left-handers, and perhaps Xhekaj will be used on the wing eventually.

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One thing’s for sure, Martin Lemay didn’t agree with this opinion. He’s aware that the defender has his flaws defensively, but he can work on that.

Here’s what the Montreal defense could look like in the near future:

Left-handers: Matheson, Hutson, Adam Engstrom, Jordan Harris, Xhekaj, Guhle. And let’s not forget guys like William Trudeau, Jayden Struble and Mattias Norlinder.

Right-handers: Savard, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, Justin Barron and Johnathan Kovacevic.

Obviously, some of these defensemen will be traded or even not renewed, but is the idea of sending Xhekaj to the wing so far-fetched? What if Kent Hughes explored the option of trading 72? After all, his value is pheno- ah pis laissez faire.

As far as the main interested party is concerned, he could very well be transferred to the wing at the end of the year. But why? Because, according to Brunet, Lane Hutson will be coming to Montreal at the end of his university season. The young prospect would therefore take up a position on the left of the blue line.

However, the little hopeful said a few days ago thathe wasn’t closing the door on a third year in the NCAA.

Did he say that because he’s thinking about the moment and wants to focus on what he’s accomplishing right now? Possibly.

Let’s hope the sportswriter has a good source, because who wouldn’t want to see Hutson in Montreal as early as 2024?

In a gust

– He’s on fire.

– Gary Bettman will have the final say since it’s a suspension of less than six games.

РAlex Barr̩-Boulet impresses. [JDM]

– Well done.

– Let’s hope not.