Picture this: Florian Xhekaj, towering at 6-foot-4, glides across the ice in Salt Lake City, his focus unbreakable as he fires a shot past a defender. The crowd is on its feet, the moment feels electric, and for a brief second, it looks like the young forward is carving out his place in the Montreal Canadiens lineup. But behind the scenes, a storm is brewing—one that could change everything for Xhekaj before he’s even had a real chance to prove himself.

The news breaks quietly at first, almost lost in the shuffle of the Canadiens’ West Coast road trip. Then, like a slapshot to the gut, it lands: Kent Hughes, Montreal’s general manager, has reclaimed Sammy Blais off waivers, bringing the physical forward back into the fold. The move seems routine, but for Xhekaj, it’s a seismic shift. Suddenly, the path to regular NHL minutes is blocked by a veteran presence who knows how to make an impact—and who the team clearly wants in the lineup as soon as possible.

Insider reports swirl, confirming what many suspected. Samuel Blais isn’t just back; he’s expected to be recalled immediately when the Canadiens return to Montreal. The writing on the wall is unmistakable: someone will have to make room, and all signs point to Xhekaj as the odd man out. It’s a cruel twist for a 21-year-old who’s already fighting for every shift, every point, and every ounce of respect in a league where opportunities are precious and fleeting.

The situation grows even more complicated with the recent signing of Alex Texier, a versatile forward whose arrival adds another layer of competition to Montreal’s crowded bottom six. With established names like Veleno, Davidson, Gallagher, Anderson, and Evans already jockeying for ice time, the addition of Texier and Blais turns every practice into a battle. For Xhekaj, the pressure is relentless. Every mistake is magnified, every success measured against seasoned veterans and promising newcomers.

Analysts like Charles-Alexis Brisebois and Renaud Lavoie are quick to note the implications. The Canadiens have no intention of leaving Sammy Blais in the AHL for long—his recall is imminent, and with Texier needing regular minutes, the squeeze is on. For Xhekaj, the message is clear: patience will be required, but the wait could be agonizing. His NHL spot, once a glimmer of hope, now hangs in the balance, threatened by the very moves meant to strengthen the team.

It’s a harsh reality for a player who, just months ago, was celebrated as a fourth-round steal in the 2023 draft. Xhekaj’s size and potential remain undeniable, but with only 1 point in two NHL games and four points in 16 AHL appearances, his resume is still a work in progress. The Canadiens’ internal competition has never been fiercer, and the stakes have never felt higher.

What happens next for Florian Xhekaj? Will he seize the moment and force the coaching staff’s hand, or will he have to bide his time in the shadows, waiting for another opportunity to break through? As the Canadiens prepare for their next game—and as the roster continues to evolve—the fate of one young forward has become the story every fan is watching.

Nov 26, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Montreal Canadiens left wing Florian Xhekaj (63) shoots the puck past Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) during the second period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

I hadn’t realized it, but Florian Xhekaj truly received bad news in the last few hours.

As you know, on Thursday afternoon, while the Canadiens were on their West Coast trip, general manager Kent Hughes re-claimed physical forward Sammy Blais from waivers.

Blais is therefore officially back in the Canadiens’ organization!

Return of Samuel Blais to the Montreal Canadiens organization: bad news for Florian Xhekaj

This is accurately reported by the excellent Charles-Alexis Brisebois (from DansLesCoulisses), as the return of Samuel Blais puts Florian Xhekaj’s spot in the NHL in jeopardy.

And unfortunately, it absolutely makes sense.

Let’s also remember that several sources report that Kent Hughes and the Canadiens intend to recall Samuel Blais as soon as the team returns to Montreal.

This means young Xhekaj is likely to be the one who pays the price.

Also, with the signing of Alex Texier, the Habs will need to play him, which removes another spot for Florian Xhekaj, especially with the bottom six becoming congested with Veleno, Davidson, Gallagher, Anderson and Evans already in the mix.

Adding Texier and Blais will definitely increase internal competition.

“The Canadiens reportedly have no intention of leaving Samuel Blais waiting in the AHL for long.

A recall as soon as the team returns to Montreal after its three-game road trip is highly plausible.”

– Renaud Lavoie

These will be situations to monitor, but everything indicates that Florian Xhekaj will unfortunately have to wait before becoming a regular player for the Montreal Canadiens.

We’ll keep you updated with the details, especially for today’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Florian Xhekaj, only 21 years old, is a 6-foot-4, 204-pound forward who was a fourth-round pick by the Montreal Canadiens in 2023 (101st overall), and who has collected 1 point in two NHL games this season, as well as 4 points in 16 AHL games.