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Feared Canadiens Enforcer Arber Xhekaj Reveals New NHL Rival After Former Teammate Signs in Toronto

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 4:51 PM ET

Physically enforcing Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has revealed his new NHL rival after his former teammate Michael Pezzetta joined a hated divisional foe.

Not only are the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs longtime divisional foes, but their rivalry dates back multiple decades to the former days of the Original 6.

Regular season games have always meant something more to both sides, and their most recent postseason matchup in 2021 is still talked about to this day.

Physically enforcing Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj, who is tough as they come, was recently asked if he has any top rivals of his own in the NHL, and he turned toward his now ex-teammate Michael Pezetta.

I might have a new one for next year.

Pezetta was originally taken 160th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens, and spent the first several years of his professional career with the American Hockey League affiliate Laval Rocket before joining the Canadiens for 2021-22.

He's played in 200 NHL games, all in a Canadiens sweater, and has 38 points (15G, 23A).

Arber Xhekaj was nearly suspended in last year's pre-season

Xhekaj is known for delivering bone-crunching hits, and he nearly earned himself a suspension after a controversial hit on Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle during last year's preseason.

He also picked up a fine of $3385.42 for unsportsmanlike conduct in a previous preseason game against the Leafs.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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