Arber Xhekaj of the Montreal Canadiens has made it clear before that he's ready and willing to pick up for his teammates when he feels they have been wronged. That includes words and actions. Xhekaj has now issued a warning to Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers.
Arber Xhekaj was not in the Montreal Canadiens lineup last night when his team took on the New York Rangers. As a healthy scratch, he watched from the press box as teammate Justin Barron was destroyed with what many thought was a punishable hit by Jacob Trouba.
The NHL has already made its decision on the controversial hit, which was to rule it clean. While Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers has a reputation for dirty plays, this was not one of them. It was a brutal, bone-crushing hit, but not against the NHL's rules.
Arber Xhekaj was asked about the hit today as Justin Baron of the Montreal Canadiens was absent for practice. He said something would have happened had he been dressed in the game, and Jacob Trouba may have to answer the bell during their next matchup with the New York Rangers, which comes Nov. 30 in New York.
Arber Xhekaj plainly knows his role in collecting his NHL salary. He's earned the "Sherriff" nickname his teammates like to use. The next Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers game should be a great one to watch.
POLL | ||
Who wins in a potential scrap? Arber Xhekaj of the Montreal Canadiens, or Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers? | ||
Arber Xhekaj | 80 | 50.3 % |
Jacob Trouba | 59 | 37.1 % |
I'm not sure | 20 | 12.6 % |
List of polls |