The Montreal Canadiens’ recent playoff decisions have sparked a wave of frustration among fans and former players alike, with the spotlight now firmly on the handling of defenseman Arber Xhekaj. Despite the team’s struggles with physicality against the Washington Capitals, head coach Martin St-Louis has continued to leave Xhekaj out of the lineup, a move that has raised eyebrows and ignited heated debates across the hockey community.

The situation reached a boiling point after former Canadiens enforcer Georges Laraque publicly expressed his disbelief and disappointment, suggesting that Xhekaj’s time in Montreal may be coming to an abrupt end. This sentiment resonates with many who see Xhekaj as a crucial presence on the ice, not just for his toughness, but for the confidence and security he brings to his teammates.

As speculation grows about his future with the organization, questions arise about whether Xhekaj could follow in the footsteps of other young talents who have been traded away. The uncertainty surrounding his role and the team’s direction has left fans wondering what comes next for both Xhekaj and the Canadiens.

Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Many Montreal Canadiens fans are frustrated with how Martin St-Louis is handling Arber Xhekaj.

Even in the playoffs, even after seeing several of the Canadiens’ top players get pushed around at will by Tom Wilson and company from the Capitals, the Sheriff is still being left in the stands.

Martin St-Louis refuses to insert him into the lineup, and know that this is a situation frustrating not only fans.

It’s also frustrating former Montreal Canadien Georges Laraque, who now believes it’s over for the Sheriff in Montreal.

It’s over for Arber Xhekaj and the Montreal Canadiens organization, according to Georges Laraque

Check out the clip in question.

Basically, Laraque says the Canadiens are a completely different team when Xhekaj is in the lineup, which isn’t wrong.

“And we’re not talking about fights, we’re talking about a reassuring presence when he plays, for the young guys who are getting hit all game long, who are getting hands in their face, and there’s never any message being sent, ever!”

– Georges Laraque, who can’t believe Arber Xhekaj was left in the stands last night

He adds:

“Just the fact that they didn’t want to put him in the lineup for Game 1, Xhekaj is done in Montreal!”

– Georges Laraque

Wow, do you think he’s right?

Do you think, like Alexander Romanov, Arber Xhekaj will be traded by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens?

It’s true that if he’s not being used in games like last night’s and tomorrow’s, it really says a lot about what’s next.

Will Florian end up having a longer career in Montreal than Arber?