Every hockey city has its heroes, but in Montreal, the legends are forged not just by skill, but by heart and grit. The story of the Canadiens is written in sweat, bruises, and the echoes of thunderous body checks. For fans, toughness isn’t just an attribute—it’s an expectation, a part of the DNA of the team. And few modern players have embodied that spirit quite like Arber Xhekaj.

From the moment he first stepped onto NHL ice, Xhekaj captured the imagination of the Bell Centre faithful. His reputation as a fearless enforcer grew with every shift, every hit, every time he answered the call when things got heated. He was the kind of player who could change the mood of an entire game just by being present, the kind who made opponents think twice before venturing too close to the Canadiens’ net. For a while, it seemed as if nothing could shake that aura.

But hockey is a game of constant evolution, and even the toughest players face challenges that go beyond the scoreboard. In recent weeks, a quiet but persistent conversation has started to ripple through the hockey world—a conversation that has little to do with goals or assists, and everything to do with identity. It’s a discussion that has caught the attention of former players, analysts, and fans alike, all wondering the same thing: Has something changed with Arber Xhekaj?

Behind closed doors and in broadcast studios, respected voices are beginning to raise questions that would have seemed unthinkable just a short time ago. What happens when a player known for his intimidation factor no longer strikes fear into the hearts of his opponents? Can a young defenseman who built his career on physicality rediscover the edge that made him special, or is he at risk of losing what made him indispensable to the Canadiens in the first place?

The debate isn’t just about one player—it’s about what he represents. For the Canadiens, Xhekaj has become a symbol of resilience and raw power, a reminder of the team’s storied past and the kind of hockey that defines Montreal. So when respected hockey minds begin to question whether he’s still the same force he once was, it sends ripples far beyond the locker room.

There are no easy answers, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The NHL is relentless, and players who lose their edge—even for a moment—can quickly find themselves on the outside looking in. For Xhekaj, the challenge is clear: prove that the fire still burns, that the reputation he earned wasn’t just a passing phase. But how do you measure toughness? How do you reignite the spark that once made you feared across the league?

As the Canadiens navigate a season full of ups and downs, the spotlight on Xhekaj has never been brighter—or more unforgiving. The coming weeks will reveal whether he can silence the doubters and reclaim his place as one of hockey’s true enforcers. One thing is certain: all of Montreal is watching, waiting, and hoping for a sign that the old Xhekaj is ready to rise again.

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

Arber Xhekaj receives a direct message from Dave Morissette and Gilbert Delorme, who believe the young defenseman absolutely needs to rediscover his tougher side.

People often talk about Arber Xhekaj as a tough customer, a guy who doesn’t back down from anyone. A player who can change the tone of a game simply by being on the ice.

However, not everyone is convinced he’s still truly intimidating.

And that’s exactly what Dave Morissette and Gilbert Delorme explained in a clip discussed on La Poche Bleue.

They didn’t mince their words.

“Xhekaj isn’t mean, and you need Xhekaj, but he’s not mean, he doesn’t scare anyone.”

– Morissette and Gilbert

Those words make you think.

For a player who’s in the NHL thanks to his strength and physical play, that’s a serious warning.

A clear message for Arber Xhekaj and the Montreal Canadiens

For Gilbert Delorme, Xhekaj’s future rests on one thing.

It’s not his offensive talent or his vision of the game.

It’s his ability to hit and make his presence felt.

Delorme was very direct.

“If he wants to keep his job in the NHL, he’s going to have to become threatening, because it’s not his hockey skill that will keep him there. It’s his intimidating side that matters.” – Gilbert Delorme

He’s not saying this to tear Arber down or throw him under the bus.

He’s saying it to wake him up.

Everyone remembers the intense Xhekaj who was ready for anything. The one who fired everyone up just by dropping his gloves.

“I want to see the same fire and the same energy he had in his first fights.”

– Dave Morissette

The former players know what that role demands. They want him to find his identity again.

And I fully agree: without that, he loses a big part of his value and the Canadiens lose an important asset.

Even Georges Laraque weighed in, criticizing both his technique and his approach in fights.

We’ll soon see if the message gets through. And in the end, he’ll have to answer on the ice.