Canadiens happy to have Xhekaj's fight: 'We stand up for one another'

BROSSARD, Que. — You may not think it matters all that much, but they do.

When the players of the Montreal Canadiens see Arber Xhekaj do whatever it takes to defend them, even if it crosses the line at times (as it has in each of the last two pre-season games), they value that more than most people can understand.

Those players know — and Xhekaj knows, too — that decisions must be calculated and weighed carefully in the balance of what’s ultimately good or bad for the team. It’s something Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said on Wednesday that, without wanting to break the pack mentality they’ve adopted, he will emphasize to them as the team edges towards games that actually matter.

But they don’t want Xhekaj to change, nor should they.

As Cole Caufield said on the morning after Tuesday’s hit parade of a game against the Ottawa Senators, players should never go against their nature if they want to succeed at this level.

“Obviously, there’s no intent to injure, there’s no intent to hurt anybody, but he’s a protector,” said Caufield of Xhekaj. “He’s a guy that you want on your team, that everybody respects, and I know he’s respected around the league. He’s physical, and he brings a lot of other things too. There’s right and wrong ways to go about it, but at the end of the day he’s fighting for one of us and he’s always ready to go to war for whatever happens. And I think that’s the way he was raised, it’s the way he was brought up — he always takes care of the people who take care of him. It’s nice to have a guy like that on your team that will do anything for you. It’s rare to have someone who will do it as consistently. 

“I think we stand up for one another, but he’s the best example of that.”

Xhekaj’s leadership in that department is unquestionable.

His intentions are pure.

As for the balance he must strike to avoid crossing the line, Xhekaj is only 23 years old and he still has time to sort out how to better temper his emotions when they get the best of him. 

But the six-foot-four, 240-pound defenceman shouldn’t stray from continuing to not only use his hands for punching, passing and scoring. He must continue to use them in carrying his team into the fight.

To a man, the Canadiens value that. Following Xhekaj into battle that has brought a close team off the ice even closer on it.

“I think that actions speak louder than words most of the time,” said captain Nick Suzuki. “Sticking up for each other is showing that everyone’s on the same level and that if one guy’s going to be gone after we’re all going to stick up for each other. It shows that we’ve got a tight group.”

It’s been evident throughout this Canadiens camp, with several players who are not naturally as inclined as Xhekaj in the physical department stepping up for the benefit of their teammates. 

That may not feel all that important to some people, but it’s extremely important to the people on this team.

Not to mention the people running it.

“I think I talked about it the other day when I said there’s a difference between a house and a home,” said St. Louis. “Our bond is showing at practice, it’s showing in the plane, it’s showing at the hotel, it’s showing in the room, it’s showing in games. It’s everywhere, and it’s apparent in different forms. 

“For me, you could have the most talent and the best strategy, but if you don’t have that, it’s hard to become a championship team.”

Guys like Xhekaj are the glue that forms that essential bond.

“It’s something to go out there and always put your body on the line for the guys. It means a lot,” said Michael Pezzetta, who also does that night-in, night out. “I think everyone in the room feels a bit bigger when Arber’s around, so that’s priceless. Guys like that aren’t a dime a dozen. 

“And he’s unique because he can really play, too. He’s not just someone who fights guys and hits guys. He’s got sneaky skill, and he’s got an absolute bomb. 

“I can’t say enough good things about him.”

There are plenty of people saying bad things about Xhekaj right now — that he’s cost the Canadiens their last two games in accumulating 44 penalty minutes in the wake of opposition players taking liberties with Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach.

But the support Xhekaj provides and the leadership he shows when things get rough means much more to his teammates than wins or losses in meaningless games. And they’re confident he — and they — will be in control of emotions when the time is right.

“I think, as you mature as a player, you learn how to manage your emotions a bit better,” said Pezzetta. “Sometimes it’s just finding that line between sending a message but not crossing the line. 

“But people should understand emotions are heightened right now with things that have happened, so we’ll shake that off during the pre-season and dial it in for the regular season.”

It will be a primary focus for Xhekaj, no doubt.

But he should take comfort in his teammates wanting him to be exactly who he is and ignore what anyone else has to say about him.