It’s the kind of image that makes every Canadiens fan stop scrolling: Martin St-Louis, sharp-eyed and unflinching, stands behind the bench, arms folded, watching the ice with a look that’s equal parts strategist and gatekeeper. Somewhere nearby, Arber Xhekaj—Montreal’s most talked-about young defenseman—sits on the bench, helmet slightly askew, jaw set, waiting for a signal that may never come. The crowd roars for him, social media buzzes with his name, but inside the arena, his minutes tick by in frustratingly small increments.

What’s really happening behind those closed locker room doors? Why does St-Louis, a coach praised for his boldness and player-first mentality, seem so hesitant to unleash Xhekaj’s full potential? Is it simply a matter of depth and hierarchy, or is there a deeper story—one that fans aren’t being told? The answer, it seems, is more complicated than anyone expected.

St-Louis isn’t shy about his reasoning. In a recent interview, he didn’t mince words: “It’s not that we don’t like his development. It’s the chair he’s in right now.” For the head coach, every player occupies a role—a “chair”—and moving up means earning trust, not just showing flashes of brilliance. It’s a philosophy that values quality over quantity, discipline over drama. But for Xhekaj, whose physical style and fearless attitude have made him a fan favorite, the standard feels impossibly high.

The numbers tell a stark story. Just over 11 minutes per game, zero goals, one assist, and a mountain of penalty minutes. Each shift is a test, each mistake a potential setback. There are moments of hope: a big hit, a perfectly timed block, a rare nod of approval from St-Louis. But there are also nights spent in the press box, games where a single penalty means a sudden demotion. The message is clear—talent alone isn’t enough.

Yet, beneath the surface, the situation is more delicate than it appears. Xhekaj is not the only young star facing a battle for ice time. Ivan Demidov, another promising name, finds himself in a similar limbo, his usage sparking heated debate among fans and analysts alike. St-Louis is not closing the door on either player, but his approach is methodical, almost ruthless: every minute on the ice must be earned, every mistake scrutinized.

For Xhekaj, the stakes couldn’t be higher. He has the size, the strength, and the raw intensity that NHL teams covet. He’s proven he can play with the big boys, and his physical presence is undeniable. But in Montreal, where the defense is stacked and expectations are unforgiving, even a minor slip can mean a major setback. The path to becoming a true pillar of the team is lined with challenges—consistency, discipline, and the ability to thrive under relentless pressure.

So, what’s next for Arber Xhekaj? Is he destined to remain in the shadows, or will St-Louis finally give him the chance to shine? The answer is hidden in the coach’s eyes, in the subtle shifts of the lineup, in the quiet moments after practice when Xhekaj lingers on the ice, hoping for a breakthrough. One thing is certain: the battle for ice time in Montreal is far from over, and every fan watching knows that the next move could change everything.

Photo of Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

The head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Martin St. Louis, is not hiding his reservations about using rugged left-shot defenseman Arber Xhekaj on a regular basis.

Despite fans wanting to see more minutes for the 24-year-old defenseman, the coach’s message is clear: Xhekaj remains an option, not a pillar.

According to an interview recap translating St. Louis’ comments:

“It’s not that we don’t like his development. It’s the chair he’s in right now[…] All players want quantity (ice time), but the coaches want quality. He needs to continue giving quality with the quantity he has. We know he can play more minutes but there’s defencemen in front of him in bigger chairs”

– Martin St-Louis via Chris Habs

This clearly shows how he is managing the situation: he wants to respect the player’s development, but he also has to follow the hierarchy already in place.

An important reminder about the chair Arber Xhekaj occupies right now

The reality of the numbers speaks for itself. This season, Xhekaj is averaging just over 11 minutes per game, with 0 goals, 1 assist, and 20 penalty minutes in 14 games. His role appears increasingly limited, mainly because the team already relies on several defensemen the coach currently considers more reliable.

Yet this is not the first time Xhekaj has tried to prove himself. In practice, he has multiplied his efforts – pushed by the defense coach – hoping to earn back more ice time.

Sometimes rewarded with a pat on the back from St. Louis after a physical shift, other times punished by being removed from the lineup after a preventable penalty.

It is a delicate situation for the young defenseman. He has the size, he hits hard, and many fans believe in him, but to stay in the NHL, he must be solid on every shift, in discipline and consistency. For now, he remains a bit in the shadows.

Arber isn’t the only one facing questionable ice time, as Ivan Demidov’s usage is becoming a sensitive topic as well.

The coach is not closing the door on him, but he wants to see him earn every minute, and I like his way of looking at things.