In the world of hockey, few figures have captured the attention of fans and analysts quite like Arber Xhekaj. Known for his imposing presence on the ice and his willingness to drop the gloves, Xhekaj has quickly become one of the most talked-about enforcers in the league. But recently, the chatter surrounding him has grown louder—and not just for his performance during games. Behind the scenes, a whirlwind of rumors, speculation, and confusion has enveloped Xhekaj, leaving fans hungry for answers and insiders scrambling to clarify the truth.

At the center of this storm is a series of perplexing developments regarding Xhekaj’s fighting technique, his coaching, and the mysterious involvement of some big names in hockey. What started as casual observations about his recent fights has spiraled into a tangled web of conjecture, with questions swirling about who is really guiding him and whether his approach in the ring is helping or hurting his career. The situation has become so murky that it prompted none other than Georges Laraque—a respected former NHL enforcer and media personality—to step forward and address the confusion head-on.

But what exactly is going on with Arber Xhekaj? Why have his fights become a source of controversy, and who is truly responsible for shaping his style? The answers are not as straightforward as they might seem. Recent comments from Laraque have only added fuel to the fire, as he openly critiqued Xhekaj’s technique while simultaneously distancing himself from the coaching drama that has unfolded. Meanwhile, other familiar faces have entered the conversation, each offering their own perspective on what Xhekaj needs to succeed and who should be guiding him.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: there is much more to the story than meets the eye. The confusion around Xhekaj’s coaching situation has led to wild speculation and heated exchanges among fans, pundits, and even former players. Some claim that a change in coaching could make all the difference, while others insist that Xhekaj’s issues go deeper than simple technique. The involvement of several “pseudo-experts” has only muddied the waters further, leaving the hockey community divided and eager for clarity.

Amidst all this, Georges Laraque has emerged as a key voice, determined to set the record straight. But even his statements have raised new questions, especially when it comes to his past work with Xhekaj and his current stance on the Canadiens’ coaching staff. Adding another layer of intrigue is the revelation that PJ Stock, another former fighter, is now working with the team’s enforcers—though not everyone agrees that his style is the right fit for Xhekaj’s unique build and skill set.

With so many conflicting opinions and unanswered questions, the story of Arber Xhekaj has become a fascinating case study in the complexities of player development and the high-stakes world of NHL fighting. What really happened behind closed doors? Who is helping—or hurting—Xhekaj’s progress? And why has this situation captured the imagination of the hockey world? The full story is far from simple, and the truth may surprise you.

Photo of Arber Xhekaj and Tanner Jeannot

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

There has been quite a bit of confusion surrounding Arber Xhekaj, his fights, and the person who is supposedly helping him.

The whole story around this has become pretty blurry, to the point where Georges Laraque had to step in to set things straight.

Recently, Laraque mentioned how Xhekaj is starting to pick up some really bad habits in his fights, and it’s costing him.

“Before, his technique-how he went in-was fine, but now, the last three fights, I look at it and his head is tilted, he goes in with both arms forward, he’s square in front of the guy, he’s completely open, his whole face is exposed.

Yet he’s bigger and stronger than most of the guys he fights, and now he’s doing it all wrong!”

– Georges Laraque

Now in a discussion shared by BPM Sports, Georges Laraque addressed what he calls poorly founded rumors.

He explained that several “pseudo-experts” had implied that the coach showing Arber Xhekaj how to fight should be fired, which made people believe that this coach was him.

However, Laraque responded directly with a very strong clarification.

A very clear point on Xhekaj and the fighting coaches

According to him, just because he shows videos or breaks down a sequence doesn’t mean he’s still coaching anyone.

He even added:

“If I show videos of Xhekaj and explain why he’s fighting poorly and doesn’t have the right technique, do you really think I’m coaching him if I’m exposing him like that?” – Laraque

During the exchange, he and Gonzo confirm that he has worked with Xhekaj in the past, just as he coached Matt Rempe in New York.

Here is that exchange:

He also mentions that it’s precisely that connection with Rempe that didn’t sit well with Xhekaj, which is why Laraque no longer coaches him.

The two hosts now clarify that the person working with the Canadiens’ fighters is actually PJ Stock.

Laraque describes him as an excellent former fighter, but he also explains that Stock’s style doesn’t always match the needs of a big heavyweight like Xhekaj, who stands 6’4″.

Indeed, he says that PJ was a very good fighter, but his technique doesn’t fit with a guy like Xhekaj, who doesn’t have the same build.

Let’s also recall that Eric Bélanger recently questioned Xhekaj’s physical identity for the Canadiens.

“You can’t have 0 hits coming from him.” – Bégin

Either way, I agree that Xhekaj needs to get some bite back. There’s a little something missing in his overall game, including his fights.