It will be like the series The return, but without Angèle Coutu. Tuesday night against the Senators, the Canadian will welcome not one, but two returnees: Arber Xhekaj and Tanner Pearson.
Pearson’s return had been expected for a few days, since it was preceded by a crescendo: solo training, training with teammates, then Mitchell Stephens who was placed on waivers, presumably to make room for Pearson.
But Xhekaj’s could happen at any time. On December 4, he was submitted to the Laval Rocket for the first time in his young career. The colossus admitted it: he had difficulty digesting this first demotion.
“It was tough at first, but it’s a good group, good guys and good coaches. Once I accepted the fact that I was there and I worked, I felt good,” he whispered in front of the many microphones surrounding him, after Tuesday’s morning training. .
In 17 games, Xhekaj scored 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists), but the organization’s priority has always been for him to refine his defensive game, which he feels he has done. “My positioning, my stick, keeping guys in front of me,” he listed. You get a lot of practice time there. »
“Sometimes I questioned my decisions here, I thought too much. I think my minutes there helped me. »
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Jean-François Houle, head coach of the Rocket
In Laval, Jean-François Houle said he called Xhekaj “to thank him, to tell him that I was very happy that he behaved like a true professional, that I knew it was not easy, what “He had to do, but we appreciate the way he presented himself,” explained the Rocket head coach. He was very happy with his stay here, he enjoyed playing for us, he liked his teammates and he hopes we continue this momentum. »
What also helped Xhekaj was a partnership with another Ontario colossus, Logan Mailloux, “a great guy and a good player. »
It also seems that Xhekaj has made progress more generally. “Thinking a little bit there, I realized what it takes to stay here. It takes a work-every-day mentality. Maybe I thought I was, but I wasn’t. It’s getting to the rink early, doing your stretches, doing everything with a professional mentality so that your body is ready. »
It must be said that despite his inexperience, he bypassed the AHL last season and was quickly acclaimed by public opinion. Xhekaj became a crowd favorite, and was even involved in a television advertising campaign, which is usually done by established players. Could such treatment have had a negative influence?
“I know that in our market, hockey players are in the public, they are very visible,” admitted Martin St-Louis. Xhekaj is a very easy personality to like. But we don’t worry about that. […] We want them to become stars on the ice. »
He will have the opportunity to take a first step in this direction against a team he knows well. Since his first rookie tournament with the Canadian, in 2021, when he injured Angus Crookshank and came to blows with Mark Kastelic, the rivalry between Xhekaj and the Senators is still keen. Combining season and preparatory games, in the NHL and AHL, he faced this organization 12 times, and totaled 39 penalty minutes. Is it a coincidence that his return coincides with the Senators’ visit?
” I don’t know ! But we face them often and they have several tough guys in their training, so the matches become robust,” he submitted.
Three centers?
For his part, Tanner Pearson returns to the game after missing the last 19 games due to injury.
He will take Mitchell Stephens’ place in the lineup, which will give the trios a strange look. The Canadian only has three centers left in his squad: Nick Suzuki, Sean Monahan and Jake Evans. “I’m going to juggle a little,” conceded St-Louis.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Forward Tanner Pearson
The head coach therefore inherits a less than optimal situation, although he assures that he is “part” of the discussions. “At the end of the day, they take my ideas into consideration. But they make the decision they have to make. »
Pearson’s return is interesting in that when healthy, he could become interesting bait for Kent Hughes between now and the trade deadline. Pearson is in the final year of his contract at $3.25 million. “It’s that time of year. The rumors will start. My job is to show up every day to help the team win,” Pearson said simply.
The veteran assures that he did not speak to the management of the Canadian to obtain assurance that he would be traded to a team that is aiming for a long run in the playoffs, as seems to be the case for Sean Monahan.
“At the end of the day, you want to win the Stanley Cup, right? I had the chance to do it earlier in my career. But at the same time, we’re building something pretty good here,” added Pearson.
On defense, Jordan Harris will be left out. With the dismissal of Barron, it is therefore the third duo of the thaw on Saturday which will not be there. Xhekaj and Johnathan Kovacevic will take their place.
Jake Allen will defend the Montreal net.
Furthermore, Mitchell Stephens was ultimately not claimed on waivers. He was therefore transferred to the Rocket on Tuesday afternoon.