Arber Xhekaj will not play again this season. The Canadian indicated this Tuesday morning that the defender will have to undergo surgery on his left shoulder and that he “should be ready for the start of next season”.
Xhekaj was injured last Thursday during his team’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Even if the organization has not confirmed the circumstances leading to his injury, one could believe that the short fight between him and Michael Essymont, in the third period, had something to do with it. The CH number 72, however, made an appearance after having served a punishment for roughness following the skirmish.
This will be his second shoulder operation in just over a year. In February 2023, a fight against defenseman Vincent Desharnais put an end to his first NHL campaign. He then had surgery on his right shoulder and assured he was fully recovered at training camp last fall.
In 44 games this season, Xhekaj amassed 10 points, including 3 goals, and had a differential of +6. A bumpy start to his career earned him a transfer to the Laval Rocket in the American League, where he refined his defensive game. When he returned to Montreal a few weeks ago, he seemed to have gained more confidence. He notably had good moments on a duet with David Savard.
The Canadian still has five games to play this season, starting with Tuesday night at home against the Philadelphia Flyers.