As the Montreal Canadiens’ training camp kicks off, a surprising narrative is quietly unfolding—one that’s captivating fans and insiders alike.

The spotlight, unexpectedly, has shifted to the Xhekaj brothers, Arber and Florian, as both have managed to defy early expectations and catch the attention of the Canadiens’ coaching staff. While initial roster projections placed them on the fringes, their recent performances have forced a major reevaluation behind the scenes.

Arber’s sudden promotion to a regular defensive pairing is just the tip of the iceberg. The real intrigue, however, surrounds Florian, who has found himself in a position few anticipated at the start of camp.

A last-minute shuffle has placed him on a promising line with Zachary Bolduc and Alex Newhook—a trio that could hold the key to one of the only remaining spots in Montreal’s opening night lineup.

With established stars already penciled into the top lines, the battle for that final forward position has become the camp’s most talked-about storyline.

Could Florian Xhekaj seize this golden opportunity and cement his place on the Canadiens’ roster? The answers are far from simple, and the implications could be game-changing. Read on to uncover the details behind this unexpected twist.

Photo of Florian Xhekaj

Photo credit: NHL

Fans of brothers Arber and Florian Xhekaj must be loving the start of the Montreal Canadiens’ training camp.

Both were initially placed in “outside” chairs, away from the regular Canadiens lineup, but both are seriously surprising observers with their strong performances.

We spoke about Arber in recent hours:

He has just been moved to a new group and placed alongside Alexandre Carrier, on the Canadiens’ third defensive pairing.

In other words, he’s now in the 6th defenseman’s chair for the Habs and is currently the favorite to start the season as a regular defenseman in Montreal, ahead of Jayden Struble and David Reinbacher.

But that’s not all!

An unexpected group change also for Florian Xhekaj

Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens’ management really seem to like what they’re seeing from the Xhekaj brothers right now.

It was now Florian Xhekaj’s turn to get an opportunity on a regular line, alongside Zachary Bolduc and Alex Newhook (he replaces Owen Beck, who held that spot at the start of camp).

That’s another major storyline to follow.

“As for the other Xhekaj brother, Florian, well, we notice that he’s in Group B, along with Alex Newhook and Zachary Bolduc.

It’s with those two players that there’s currently a spot to be filled, so it’s positive for Florian Xhekaj to be there.

It was Owen Beck who had that place earlier this week, but now he’s been separated from Newhook and Bolduc, since he’s now in Group A.”

– Mathis Therrien, DLC

As Mathis points out, it’s extremely interesting to see Florian Xhekaj with Newhook and Bolduc, because it’s probably the only “spot” currently available on the Montreal Canadiens’ roster to start the season.

The line of Slafkovsky, Suzuki, and Caufield is pretty much set.

The line of Laine, Dach, and Demidov is pretty much set.

The line of Gallagher, Evans, and Anderson is pretty much set.

So there may be one spot left with Newhook and Bolduc.

Do you think Florian Xhekaj could take that spot right from the start of the 2025-26 regular season?