The cold glare of the arena lights seemed to linger long after the final buzzer, casting sharp shadows across the empty seats and echoing with the silent questions that haunted Montreal’s blue line. On Saturday night, Arber Xhekaj was the hero in New York—a rising star whose name filled the rafters with hope. But by Sunday, his skates never touched the ice, and his jersey hung untouched in the locker room while Jayden Struble took his place against the Edmonton Oilers’ heavy hitters.

What happened between those two nights? Why did Martin St-Louis, the Canadiens’ head coach, make a decision that left fans and analysts stunned, swapping out a goal-scorer for a new face on defense? The answer, it seems, is far more complicated than a simple coaching strategy. Behind closed doors and on live radio, tensions were rising, and one veteran voice was about to ignite a firestorm that could reshape the future of Montreal’s defensive lineup.

Gilbert Delorme, a name synonymous with grit and candor in the NHL, broke his silence on BPM Sports, unleashing a torrent of criticism that left no room for doubt. The words were raw, the frustration palpable, and the message clear: mistakes on the ice have consequences, especially when the margin for error is razor thin. For Xhekaj, one misstep just inside the blue line was all it took to transform a promising weekend into a personal crisis.

But this is not just a story about missed opportunities or tough love. It’s about the invisible pressure that builds behind every shift, the delicate balance between talent and trust, and the relentless competition that defines life in the NHL. As Adam Engstrom quietly cements his spot in the lineup and Kaiden Guhle’s return looms on the horizon, the battle for ice time has never been fiercer—or more unforgiving.

In the swirling uncertainty, one question hangs heavy over the Canadiens: Is Arber Xhekaj running out of chances, or is there still time for redemption? The answer is buried beneath layers of strategy, emotion, and the relentless pursuit of perfection that drives every player to the edge.

What really happened in those crucial moments on the ice? Why did Xhekaj’s fate shift so suddenly, and what does it mean for the team’s future? The story is only beginning to unfold, and every detail matters.

Read on as we unravel the drama behind the scenes, the harsh realities of NHL life, and the voices—both on the bench and in the broadcast booth—that are shaping the destiny of Montreal’s most talked-about defenseman.

Photo of Arber Xhekaj and Gilbert Delorme

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

On Saturday, Arber Xhekaj scored in New York; on Sunday, he sat out against the Edmonton Oilers.

Martin St-Louis left Xhekaj in the press box on Sunday, despite his goal the night before, opting instead to dress Jayden Struble against Connor McDavid’s group.

Meanwhile, Adam Engstrom continues to be used regularly since his recall to Montreal.

Decisions like these inevitably spark discussion, especially when a defenseman appears to be finding his rhythm.

Right now, however, Xhekaj’s margin for error seems smaller than Struble’s. And with each passing game, Engstrom seems to be solidifying his place with the Canadiens.

Gilbert Delorme Has Had Enough With Arber Xhekaj

On the air this morning on BPM Sports, former NHL defenseman Gilbert Delorme did not mince words when criticizing the Canadiens’ number 72.

“Seriously, play the game the right way. Damn it!

How many times have we talked about this? It’s 3-0, you have the puck just inside the blue line, then you go at it softly with one hand, the puck stays in the zone – what do you think is going to happen? Poof, the puck is in the net. For crying out loud!

If you’re Martin St-Louis – and I knew it myself on Saturday, I knew it – it’s absolutely, absolutely certain that he’s the one coming out of the lineup.

He’s been given chances, and it seems like he doesn’t get it. Honestly, he took himself out of the lineup.”

– Gilbert Delorme

It’s hard to hear, but it perfectly sums up what coaches hate to see. One visible mistake, and you quickly find yourself in the stands, especially when there is a surplus on the blue line.

The worst part is that rotating players in and out helps no one, neither the player nor the team.

If Engstrom stays in the lineup, Xhekaj automatically becomes the name that can be removed without too much noise. And with Kaiden Guhle expected to return eventually, the pressure is only going to increase for everyone.

In short, the Xhekaj situation has just become more complicated, and the battle on defense is only beginning.