Florian Xhekaj keeps giving the Montreal Canadiens reasons to rethink their forward group, and on Friday it happened in the faceoff circle.
During practice in Brossard, the young forward dominated a faceoff drill against Oliver Kapanen.
TVA Sports reporter Anthony Martineau saw it up close. "We quickly saw he had plenty of other assets besides being a pest and hitting," Martineau said.
That's the part that should get Martin St-Louis' attention. Winning draws adds a whole new line to a scouting report built on energy and edge.
Why does that matter so much? Because the Canadiens have a traffic jam up front, and versatility is how bubble players survive cuts.
Phillip Danault noticed too. "He's having a really good camp," Danault said. "He's solid, he's strong, he knows his role."
Phillip Danault says Xhekaj has made the Canadiens' decision harder
Danault didn't stop there. "He's shuffled the deck a bit. It's not an easy decision for the Canadiens."
Captain Nick Suzuki also had good things to say about the camp's newest crowd favorite.
If Xhekaj can take draws on top of everything else, St-Louis has no business leaving him off the opening-night roster.
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He's the backup bassist who turns out to know every song on the setlist. Suddenly the band has a very awkward conversation to make.
Kapanen hasn't helped his own cause. He went minus-2 in Monday's 3-2 win over Ottawa, while Xhekaj finished plus-1.
Kapanen did put two shots on goal that night, so he isn't going quietly.
Suzuki picked up an assist and fired three shots on goal in that game.
The Canadiens are a perfect 3-0 this preseason. They visit Ottawa on Saturday before opening the regular season Tuesday in Toronto.
Kent Hughes and St-Louis have to trim that forward group before then. Every drill in Brossard now carries the weight of a game.
The faceoff circle wasn't supposed to be his battleground. Now the harder question is whose spot he takes because of it.
Should Florian Xhekaj make the Canadiens' opening night roster over Oliver Kapanen?
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