MONTREAL — Arber Xhekaj’s trajectory in professional hockey has been nothing short of remarkable. Eight years ago, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound physical force joined the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers as an unselected 17-year-old walk-on. After being bypassed in the NHL Draft, Xhekaj carved out a spot with the Montreal Canadiens as an undrafted free agent, amassing 230 NHL games over the past four seasons. Now 25, the imposing blue-liner finds himself at a career crossroads, remaining an unsigned restricted free agent with less than two weeks remaining before the start of training camp.
Can the Habs Shift Arber Xhekaj to the Forward Line?
With young talent crowding the Canadiens’ defensive corps, fans have increasingly floated a radical solution: shifting the fan-favorite enforcer to forward. While the idea of placing Xhekaj’s massive frame on the wing is intriguing on paper, hockey experts emphasize that transitioning positions at the NHL level presents immense tactical hurdles.
Xhekaj briefly skated as a forward during his junior days in Kitchener and logged a single six-shift appearance on the left wing for Montreal during a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, recording five hits in just over five minutes of ice time.
Former OHL Coach Jay McKee Weighs In on Xhekaj’s Natural Position
Despite that memorable, high-energy performance in Carolina, Xhekaj’s former junior coach Jay McKee firmly believes his long-term home remains on the blue line. McKee, who coached Xhekaj in Kitchener and during Hamilton’s 2022 OHL championship run before taking over as head coach of the AHL’s Hamilton Hammers, noted that Xhekaj’s early stints at forward were merely tactical measures to maintain match fitness.
Drawing from his own 14-year NHL playing career as a defenseman, McKee highlighted that moving up front requires completely different positional instincts, reading-and-reacting habits, and structural responsibilities that are difficult to master on short notice.
Contract Status and Future Outlook for the Canadiens Enforcer
While Xhekaj’s natural athleticism, physical presence, and surprisingly soft hands allowed him to overcome the odds as an undrafted prospect, his immediate priority centers on resolving his contract status in Montreal. As training camp approaches, the Canadiens management must decide how the physical defenseman fits into their long-term defensive rotation, rather than relying on a permanent positional experiment.