Florian Xhekaj: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

The Laval Rocket is coming off an excellent season, the best in its history, finishing first in the AHL and reaching the third round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, the team lost in four games to the Charlotte Checkers, but let’s not let that rushed elimination overshadow the Rocket’s many accomplishments over the past campaign.

Montreal Canadiens News / Breakaway on SI / June 5

Brother of Canadiens Defenseman is an Underrated 'Unicorn'

The Xhekaj family story is one of the best feel-good, "got it out of the mud" stories across the NHL. Arber, the elder Xhekaj brother, made the Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens News / Breakaway on SI / June 5

Canadiens Must Not Trade Arber Xhekaj

Arber Xhekaj is the kind of player that nearly every NHL general manager covets, and many successful teams have a player with a similar profile. If you find a diamond in the rough like Xhekaj, you hold onto him.

Edmonton Oilers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Multiple 50-goal seasons in NHL history' quiz

In the history of the NHL, a total of 46 players have scored 50 goals in a season more than once. How many of the 46 can you name in six minutes?

The 'Most points in one Stanley Cup Playoffs' quiz

The 'NHL's multiple Hart Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Multiple Stanley Cup Playoff hat tricks' quiz

NHL News / Dose.ca / May 29

Kashawn Aitcheson, a prospect who could really interest the Habs

This morning, Nicolas Cloutier published a text (TVA Sports) in which he talks about Kashawn Aitcheson. Who is this player? We’re talking about a 6’2 (196 lb.) left-handed defenseman who could emerge in the top-20 at the next draft.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / May 28

F. Xhekaj and Mailloux to start next season in Montreal (according to Anthony Marcotte)

At the next training camp, there are players who will want to make their mark on the Canadiens’ roster. Of the lot? I’m thinking of guys like Adam Engström, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, Sean Farrell, Filip Mesar, Owen Beck, Logan Mailloux, Florian Xhekaj, Jared Davidson… Among all these names, some seem to be closer to the NHL than others.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / May 27

The Snake says Florian Xhekaj is the Habs’ best forward prospect in Laval

As we all know, the Habs have never had a player with pure forward talent. Nick Suzuki is very good overall, but he’s no Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon or Nikita Kucherov.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / May 24

Canadiens’ Prospect Florian Xhekaj Emerges as a Force in the AHL

Over the last few seasons, the Montreal Canadiens have built a strong foundation through the draft, focusing on skill, character, and development. Players like Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Nick Suzuki have quickly emerged as promising young pieces of the franchise’s future.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / May 23

'It’s been 30 years since a player with Florian Xhekaj’s profile reached the NHL.'

Florian Xhekaj was a big story for the Rocket this season. Arber’s little brother, in his first year with the pros, scored 24 goals and 35 points in 69 games… and above all, he stood out for his physical play.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / May 22

There’s no denying it: Florian Xhekaj’s progress is impressive

The Laval Rocket delighted its fans last night. The 4-1 victory at the hands of the Americans now gives the club a 2-1 series lead… and the Rocket is now just one win away from the conference final.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / May 17

'We’re at least three years away from seeing Florian Xhekaj as a support center in Montreal'

Florian Xhekaj had quite a first year in the pros with Laval. Arber’s little brother collected 24 goals and 35 points in 69 games, while racking up 175 penalty minutes.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / April 25

The CH almost recalled Florian Xhekaj for tonight’s game

It’s easy to say. After two games against the Capitals… the Habs are getting shuffled around. The Caps’ players are more physical, and that’s why the CH is getting roughed up.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / April 20

Florian Xhekaj achieves LAH first in nearly 30 years

The best prospects are often qualified by incredible production at a very young age. In the case of the Montreal Canadiens, they have several fine young players in the organization, but there’s one who could cause a surprise next year.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / April 14

Buium, Hutson and more: Scouting reports on your team’s newest prospects

With more and more teams ending their season in recent days – joyously or otherwise – we’ve seen an abundance of players signing their first NHL contracts.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / April 2

20 goals for Florian Xhekaj: nobody had that on their bingo card

Yesterday, the Laval Rocket was in Manitoba on the heels of a match against the Moose. The Canadiens’ affiliate team won with a score of 3-2. Alex Barré-Boulet (I wonder how he feels about not having had his chance in the NHL for a few months), Florian Xhekaj, and Sean Farrell found the back of the net.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Golfers with multiple U.S. Open titles' quiz

The 'Most points off the bench in an NBA Finals game' quiz

The '50-goal NHL seasons since 2000-01' quiz

The '1,000-yard receivers in the 2024-25 NFL season' quiz

NHL News / Dose.ca / March 31

Florian Xhekaj : 'I want to be like Tom Wilson'

Florian Xhekaj’s first season as a professional is not going unnoticed. We’ve talked about him several times this season on DLC because the little brother of Arber is perfecting his role with the Rocket.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / March 31

Habs To Cut Ties With Arber Xhekaj?

If we listen to pundits, the future of Canadiens’ tough guy Arber Xhekaj with the team could be in jeopardy. Adding fuel to the speculations is the fact that two games ago in Carolina, Martin St-Louis decided to dress 11 forwards and 7 defensemen.

NHL News / Dose.ca / March 13

Pierre Dorion has no doubt: Florian Xhekaj will be an NHL player

It’s been a few years since the Xhekaj family has been making headlines in Montreal. We’ve gotten to know Arber as an undrafted free agent invited to the rookie camp… and in the 2023 draft, his brother Florian joined him in the organization.

Montreal Canadiens News / Montreal Hockey Now / December 16

Xhekaj And Davidson Find Rhythm With Canadiens AHL Affiliate

Things haven’t gone according to plan for the Montreal Canadiens, but their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, enjoyed one of the best starts in the history of the organization’s farm teams.

Montreal Canadiens News / Habs Fanatics / October 29

Florian Xhekaj Gets Compared to a Current NHL Captain, Canadiens See Him as a 'Unicorn'

He's quite a hockey player, and his selection had absolutely nothing to do with his older brother. We saw proof of this in a video published by the Canadiens showing behind-the-scenes of the 2023 draft.

Montreal Canadiens News / Habs Fanatics / September 24

The Montreal Canadiens make a decision regarding Florian Xhekaj

The Montreal Canadiens have just announced an interesting decision involving Arber Xhekaj's younger brother, Florian Xhekaj. First of all, please note

Montreal Canadiens News / Blade of Steel / September 23

Does recent quote from Arber Xhekaj suggest his focus is on the wrong thing?

Arber Xhekaj of the Montreal Canadiens and his brother Florian Xhekaj are set to suit up together, but the eldest brother has his focus on the wrong thing.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / July 1

Canadiens’ Xhekaj Brothers Hire a New Agent

While Florian Xhekaj has only just signed his entry-level contract (ELC) with the Montreal Canadiens, his older brother Arber Xhekaj has now finished his ELC and will become a restricted free agent at noon.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 1, 2024

Capitals, Sharks extend offers to five prospects

The Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks have taken the steps needed to retain their negotiating rights over five players.

Washington Capitals’ First Overall Draft Picks

Sharks 2023-24 Player Grades: Kyle Burroughs

Source: Sharks Will Not Sign Goalie Prospect

The 25 athletes who defined 2022

The 'Stanley Cup droughts' quiz

Montreal Canadiens News / Full Press Hockey / April 18, 2024

Arber Xhekaj Says His Shoulder Bothered Him All Year

Another year, another shoulder surgery was performed on Arber Xhekaj, who had this to say in his last media availability of the season. Arber Xhekaj underwent left shoulder surgery on April 10th, and yesterday, before the Montreal Canadiens‘ last game of the season, he fielded questions from the media for the last time this season.

Montreal Canadiens News / Daily Faceoff / April 9, 2024

Montreal Canadiens sign forward prospect Florian Xhekaj to entry-level contract

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward prospect Florian Xhekaj to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Tuesday afternoon. Xhekaj, 19, collected 34 goals and 65 points in 63 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs in the 2023-24 regular season.

Montreal Canadiens News / Montreal Hockey Now / April 1, 2024

Canadiens Prospect Florian Xhekaj Involved In Heavyweight Fight

The CHL playoffs are in full swing, which means several Montreal Canadiens prospects are playing crucial roles for their respective teams. Both Owen Beck and Filip Mesar have scored an impressive six points in their first two games, a rather encouraging sign for players who are expected to make the jump to professional hockey next season.