For Canadiens Arber Xhekaj, the Rest of the Game Takes Time

Some hockey players seem to arrive with a pretty clear label attached. For Montreal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj, that label has been toughness. He's big, he's willing to stand up for teammates, and opponents know he's not someone to take liberties with. But there's another part of his game worth watching, and it might be taking a little longer to arrive.

Xhekaj scored a goal in Montreal's 5-4 overtime win over Utah on Thursday. It was part of a three-game stretch in which he's collected a goal and two assists. That's not exactly an offensive explosion, but perhaps that's not the point.

Xhekaj Is Getting More Regular Playing Time.

At 25, Xhekaj is getting regular opportunities on Montreal's third defensive pairing. He's doing what originally earned him a place in the NHL: playing physically, blocking shots, bringing energy, and making life uncomfortable for opposing forwards. Those contributions matter. Every team needs players who are willing to do the less glamorous work.

But here's something I find interesting. We sometimes get so comfortable putting a player into a particular category that we stop looking for anything else. Xhekaj is the tough guy. End of story. I'm not sure that's fair to him.

Offensive confidence, puck movement, and knowing when to join the attack take time to develop. Not every defenceman arrives in the NHL with a complete package. Some players need regular shifts, a little patience, and the opportunity to make mistakes before other parts of their game begin to show.

Xhekaj Seems to Be Growing into the Game.

That's part of what makes player development interesting. The player we see today isn't necessarily the finished product. Montreal doesn't need Xhekaj to become a power-play quarterback. That isn't his job. But if he can add a little more offence to the physical presence he already brings, the Canadiens have something useful. And maybe that's the lesson here for fans, too.

Sometimes we get impatient waiting for a young player to become what we think he should be. Perhaps it's worth paying attention to what he's becoming instead. Xhekaj scored only one goal. But it might be another small step in a longer development story.