\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 1, 2025\u00a0\u00a0(12:31)<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\t ![\"Apr](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/583952.webp.webp\" "\\"Apr")
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Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tThings aren’t looking too promising at the moment for young Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj<\/a>.The defensive situation in Montreal is well known – and very clear. Only one spot remains open on the Canadiens’ blue line, and there will be a battle between David Reinbacher<\/a>, Jayden Struble<\/a>, and Arber Xhekaj for that final spot.Sources close to the Canadiens organization have revealed that Reinbacher will be given every opportunity at training camp to seize that final spot on the Canadiens’ top-six defensive unit – behind Kaiden Guhle<\/a>, Noah Dobson<\/a>, Lane Hutson<\/a>, Mike Matheson, and Alexandre Carrier<\/a>.<\/p>\n That makes it increasingly hard to envision Xhekaj playing regularly in the lineup this season.<\/p>\n Which is unfortunate – because he brings so much to the table.<\/p>\n David Reinbacher could be paired with Lane Hutson as early as this season<\/p>\n This setup would place Mike Matheson and Alexandre Carrier on the third defensive pairing – potentially the best third pair in the entire NHL.<\/p>\n On yesterday’s episode of The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro and Pierre McGuire, the host said the following during a discussion about Hutson’s defensive partner this season:<\/p>\n “I spoke to a few people who believe Reinbacher could be the right guy as early as now.”<\/p>\n – Tony Marinaro<\/p>\n The smoke is definitely starting to turn into fire!<\/p>\n Unless injuries open the door, Xhekaj increasingly appears destined for a 7th or 8th defenseman role on the Canadiens’ depth chart.<\/p>\n We’ll see how it all plays out – but if Reinbacher does, in fact, make the jump this year, the Canadiens will face some serious congestion on the back end.<\/p>\n Previously on HabsFanatics<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tHABSFANATICS.COM
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