The NHL Department of Player Safety has fined Montreal Canadiens defender Arber Xhekaj $3,385.42 – the maximum allowed under the CBA – for an infraction with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare. The incident was retaliation for an awkward knee-to-knee collision that Pare delivered to Habs winger Patrik Laine, who had to be helped off the ice and is out indefinitely. Pare was not penalized for his hit on Laine, while Xhekaj received a minor roughing penalty, 10-minute instigating misconduct, and game misconduct for fighting. Both incidents occurred in the game’s first period.
This, surprisingly, marks the first run-in with the DoPS for the enforcer Xhekaj, though he received numerous suspensions during his days in the OHL for blindside hits and instigating fights. That’s the hard-nosed style he’s leaned into early into his pro career, recording a staggering 182 penalty minutes across his first 95 NHL games. That includes 101 penalty minutes in 51 games as a rookie, a penalty-per-game average similar to what players like Kevin Bieksa and Colton Orr managed in their first seasons. Xhekaj hasn’t offset those penalties with much scoring, netting just 23 points across his NHL career – though he did manage a more stout 11 points in 17 AHL appearances last year.
Xhekaj will look to translate that production – and after this fine, likely more poise – into a full year with the Canadiens this year. He’s currently in competition with players like Jayden Struble and Kaiden Guhle for a spot on Montreal’s third-pair, though could end up the de facto seventh man thanks to his typecast as a bruiser. The Canadiens could use all the physical presence that they can get this year, as they anticipate a lineup potentially featuring all of Lane Hutson, Alex Newhook, Joshua Roy, and Nick Suzuki.
Good enough, you take a dirty shot, you fight if you cower that’s on you.
Shades of Todd Bertuzzi
Nope. He didn’t slam his head into the ice. Both avoidable if you face the music.
Laine needs to talk to McDavid and learn how to cut in between 2 guys. Laine with no speed, Pare skating backwards with a wide stance, what is Pare supposed to do? I really don’t think it was on purpose, more of a freak unfortunate accident
Wow – you’re completely unaware. He was targeting, period. Cowards aim for the knee, which is what he did. Also why he’ll never get out of the AHL again.
That was far from targeting. When you skate backwards and lean in for a hit, are you suppose to put your legs together like a Flamingo? Laine also dragged his leg behind, watch the replay in slow motion and take off your beer goggles
Sure. Only contact on the knee, got it.
Wrong. Pare stuck the knee out. It’s on the untalented minor leaguer.
Wrong. Laine moved and he’s a minor leaguer and can’t pivot without sticking out the knee.
I’m sure the $8M man Laine had no problem cutting a check for WiFi here – questionable hit in a meaningless game.
Ya WIFI needs it, if he played for 29 other nhl teams, he’d be back to Costco stocking shelves. I don’t think the guy knows how to spell “hockey”
Wifi is awesome. You are a clown.