Sometimes, the most compelling stories in sports aren’t about the goals scored or the games won—they’re about the questions that linger long after the final whistle. In Montreal, where hockey is more than just a pastime, the smallest spark can ignite a wildfire of debate. This week, a new conversation has taken hold of Canadiens fans, fueled not by statistics or standings, but by a single, pointed remark from a former player who knows what it means to leave everything on the ice.

It began innocently enough, as so many hockey discussions do, with a podcast chat about prospects and potential. The crew at La Poche Bleue tossed around the idea of a call-up for Florian Xhekaj, a young forward making waves in Laval. But as the conversation unfolded, the spotlight shifted—suddenly, it wasn’t just about Florian’s future, but about his older brother Arber, and the questions swirling around his performance with the Canadiens.

Enter Steve Bégin, a name synonymous with grit and intensity, a player whose own career was defined by relentless effort and physicality. Bégin didn’t mince words. He laid out a theory that was as intriguing as it was provocative: bringing Florian up could do more than reward the younger Xhekaj’s hard work—it might also jolt Arber out of his recent slump, reigniting the fire that once made him one of Montreal’s most feared defenders.

Bégin’s comments were more than just speculation. They were a challenge, a call to action, and, for many fans, a wake-up call. The idea that two brothers, sharing the ice, could tap into a unique chemistry—one that Montreal desperately needs right now—was both romantic and practical. But the conversation didn’t stop there. It dove deeper, into uncomfortable territory, as the podcast hosts and their guest began to dissect Arber Xhekaj’s play in recent weeks.

Eric Bélanger, another voice with NHL experience, didn’t sugarcoat his assessment. He called Arber’s recent performances “ordinary,” suggesting that the defenseman’s impact had faded since his early days in Montreal. But it was Bégin’s next statement that truly reverberated: “You can’t have 0 hits coming from him.” Coming from a player who built his reputation on toughness, the words carried weight—and for many, they echoed a growing concern about the Canadiens’ physical identity.

What happens when a team loses its edge? What does it mean for Montreal if one of its toughest players goes quiet? Is the solution as simple as reuniting two brothers, hoping their shared energy will reignite the spark that’s gone missing? Or is there something deeper at play, a shift in the team’s culture that fans are only beginning to sense?

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the Xhekaj brothers are at the center of a story that’s about more than just hits and highlights. It’s a story about identity, intensity, and the delicate balance that defines a hockey team’s soul. To understand what’s really happening—and what might come next—you’ll need to look beyond the numbers and listen to the voices that know what it means to fight for every inch of ice.

What will this latest controversy reveal about the Canadiens, their future, and the bond between two brothers? The answer, as always in Montreal, is anything but simple.

Photo credit: NHL

Steve Bégin’s appearance on La Poche Bleue sparked a discussion that immediately drew reactions from many Canadiens fans.

It all started when the guys from the La Poche Bleue podcast were first talking about the possibility of calling up Florian Xhekaj, but the conversation quickly shifted to his brother Arber, whose play has raised a lot of questions lately.

Steve Bégin didn’t beat around the bush.

He explained that calling up Florian could create a shock not only for him, but also for Arber-a positive one.

According to him, having both brothers together would have a special, almost instinctive effect. During the preseason, they seemed to feed off each other’s energy. I completely agree.

He stated clearly:

“I think they should bring him up. Maybe it would wake up his brother too. Knowing they’re both there, they’ll fire each other up.”

– Steve Bégin

This point of view then opened the door to a much more direct discussion about Arber Xhekaj’s performances.

A question of physical identity for the Canadiens and Arber Xhekaj

Eric Bélanger didn’t hesitate to say that the defenseman has been playing “ordinary” recently.

His impact, according to him, is no longer what it was at the start.

Steve Bégin went even further.

For him, a player like Arber Xhekaj cannot afford to disappear in a game.

He delivered a line that hit a lot of people:

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

@lapochebleue

Rappeler Florian Xhekaj pour tenter de redonner confiance à certains joueurs… dont son frère? 👀🏒 #xhekaj #habs #gohabsgo #canadiensmtl #nhl

♬ son original – lapochebleue – lapochebleue

When that comes from a former player who always played with as much intensity as Bégin, it hits a little harder.

Arber’s lack of physical presence is worrying. He’s supposed to be one of the toughest guys on the team.

In my opinion, when he doesn’t impose his physical game, Montreal loses an important part of its identity.

In this context, calling up Florian becomes an interesting idea. It wouldn’t just be a reward for his good work in Laval, but maybe a way to wake up a key Canadiens player.

And honestly, I think many fans are wondering if the Xhekaj brothers together could rediscover that little spark that used to be their strength.