A seismic shift is underway on the Montreal Canadiens’ blue line, and Martin St-Louis’s latest lineup decisions have sent a clear, and frankly brutal, message. For weeks, fans have watched the dynamic between rookie Jayden Struble and enforcer Arber Xhekaj, but what was once a subtle competition has now become a definitive changing of the guard. The hierarchy has been flipped, and the implications for Xhekaj are dire.

While Struble started the season as the team’s seventh defenseman, his steady, reliable play has earned him not only a permanent spot in the lineup but also a dramatic increase in ice time. Meanwhile, Xhekaj, the once-feared sheriff, has seen his minutes plummet, culminating in a shockingly low deployment in recent games that suggests St-Louis has lost all confidence in him. This isn’t just a minor adjustment; it’s a statement. With Kaiden Guhle’s return from injury looming, the writing is on the wall. The numbers don’t lie, and St-Louis’s choice is now undeniable. The tough-as-nails defenseman who once seemed untouchable is now on the outside looking in, and a move to the press box appears imminent.

Feb 8, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) looks on against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

We’ve clearly just witnessed a changing of the guard on defense for Martin St-Louis and the Montreal Canadiens.

We’ve had doubts about this for a few games now, but it now appears to be clearly confirmed…

Changing of the Guard Confirmed on Defense: Jayden Struble Has Moved Ahead of Arber Xhekaj in the Hierarchy

If Struble began the season as the 7th defenseman and Xhekaj as the 6th, those roles can now officially be reversed… unfortunately for young Xhekaj!

This is significant, because it also means that when Kaiden Guhle returns from injury, it’ll be Xhekaj who gets sent to the press box and scratched from Martin St-Louis’ lineup.

“Martin St-Louis is showing less and less trust in Xhekaj.”

– DLC

As the guys at DLC point out here, Struble has logged nearly double the ice time of Xhekaj over the past few games (especially on Saturday).

Martin St-Louis has clearly made his choice between Struble and Xhekaj…

Over the last few games, St-Louis has played Xhekaj for 6 minutes 37 seconds and 8 minutes 49 seconds…

While Struble has logged 14 minutes 48 seconds, 12 minutes 45 seconds… and even 19 minutes 09 seconds on October 20!

Yes, the choice has been made – and the news is not good for Arber Xhekaj.

Arber Xhekaj, 24 years old, is a left-shot defenseman standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds. He has 1 point in 9 games this season, along with 15 penalty minutes and a -2 rating.

Jayden Struble, also 24 years old, is a left-shot defenseman standing 6 feet tall and weighing 207 pounds. He has 2 points in 6 games, 0 penalty minutes, and a +3 rating.