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For years, there’s been a push to eliminate fighting from hockey. Yet, despite all the efforts, fighting remains a significant part of the North American game. The role has certainly evolved since the 1970s—players today must be able to keep up with the speed and skill of the game, rather than relying solely on their ability to throw punches.
Despite the constant criticism, often from non-skaters, players themselves continue to have deep respect for enforcers. Recently, Hall of Fame Toronto Maple Leafs alumnus Mats Sundin praised his former teammate, Tie Domi.
As a player, over my 18 years, you come to realize that Tie, the tough guys in the league, by far have also the toughest job. Just imagine having to go to work and knowing that you have to fight someone at that night and you play games every other night. No one can actually enjoy that, go out and do that every night. It’s a tough job, and they deserve the respect from not only players, obviously, fans and everybody. Tie keeps reminding me, even today, you remember, you didn’t have any concussions, thanks to me. It’s a needed role. It allowed me to be able to do my job on the ice and not being taken advantage of from the opponent’s team. The guys are still out there. Much respect and the toughest job in the game. ~ Mats Sundin
This sentiment isn’t just about the 1970s. The same respect is shown for teammates of modern-day enforcers like Matt Martin, Ryan Reaves (in his prime), Patrick Maroon, Tom Wilson, Nicolas Deslauriers, Brandon Prust, and Shawn Thornton, to name a few. In Ottawa, they even retired Chris Neil’s jersey in recognition of his contributions as an enforcer.
Prevention
While enforcers can prevent some cheap shots, they certainly don’t stop all of them. What effective enforcers do—those who don’t just send messages but deliver on them—is make opponents think twice before taking liberties, knowing that retribution might be on its way.
I was a huge fan of Georges Laraque when he played for Edmonton. He didn’t ask for permission—he just did his job. The same goes for guys like Chris Nilan, Tie Domi, Derek Boogaard, Dave Williams, Marty McSorley, and today’s tough players like Nicolas Deslauriers. That’s why Canadiens’ head coach Martin St-Louis needs to let Arber Xhekaj stay aggressive and do what he does best.
Arber Xhekaj
This season, Canadiens’ top enforcer, Arber Xhekaj, seems to be under scrutiny from Martin St-Louis and the coaching staff, allegedly for his perceived lack of discipline. However, Xhekaj has played in the team’s first five games and has only taken one minor penalty.
This has led some to believe that his healthy scratch status might be related to his defensive performance instead. While Xhekaj’s minus-4 rating isn’t something he’s likely proud of, veteran David Savard is sitting at minus-8, and Lane Hutson at minus-5, yet both remain in the lineup. Meanwhile, Justin Barron and Jayden Struble are getting ice time, even though they’re both at minus-3.
In fact, the Canadiens have allowed 20 goals in their last four games, and 10 in their last two games when Arber has been out of the line-up. Already three times in the first seven games they’ve played so far, have they allowed six or more goals in a game. To single out Xhekaj seems rather over-the-top, doesn’t it?
Playing at forward?
Lately, fans and media have floated the idea of moving Arber Xhekaj from defense to forward.
No. Just… no. It’s a crazy notion, and here’s why: Contrary to popular belief, Xhekaj is a good defenseman. He’s a solid fifth or sixth defenseman on the roster. You don’t change a player’s position this late in their career and expect success. Sure, people point to examples like Dustin Byfuglien or Brent Burns, but I ask: How many players have actually succeeded in such a transition compared to the total number of pros in the NHL, AHL, KHL, SHL, or Liiga? And even those who tried were often reverted back to their natural position after being experimented with.
Secondly, there’s no denying that an enforcer is far more effective when they’re actually on the ice, not sitting at the end of the bench. A defenseman like Xhekaj playing 13 to 15 minutes per game keeps opponents honest far better than a forward stuck on a fourth line, playing only 5 to 8 minutes. No “ifs” or “buts” about it.
Chris Nilan’s take
Recently, former NHL enforcer and Canadiens legend Chris Nilan voiced his support for Arber Xhekaj, particularly regarding the criticism over his so-called lack of discipline. Nilan, who knows a thing or two about the enforcer role (ranked 9th all-time in the NHL with over 3,000 penalty minutes), explained that while it’s important to limit unnecessary infractions, taking penalties as part of an enforcer’s job is inevitable.
He added that his teammates appreciated what he did for them, knowing they could skate more freely thanks to his presence. In turn, they often put in extra effort on the penalty kill when he took liberties.
Martin St-Louis
Which brings me to Canadiens’ head coach, Martin St-Louis, who ultimately makes the decision whether or not to dress Arber Xhekaj. If I had the chance to sit down with St-Louis one-on-one, there’s a thought-provoking question I’d love to ask: “Why is it that you (rightfully) allow your other young defensemen—Justin Barron, Jayden Struble, Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux—to make mistakes and send them right back out there, but when it comes to Arber Xhekaj, the rules seem different?”
From an outsider’s perspective, without knowing St-Louis’ answer, it certainly seems like there’s some favouritism or scapegoating at play. It doesn’t feel like fair treatment. Which leads to another question: Could it be, as was the case with Claude Julien and Nicolas Deslauriers, that St-Louis simply doesn’t like or believe in enforcers? If that’s true, it would seem a bit hypocritical considering how much Tampa Bay’s stars benefited from the protection of guys like André Roy and Zenon Konopka in those days.
So, what’s the real reason? As Georges Laraque speculated, could Arber Xhekaj’s days in a Habs uniform be numbered? If that’s the case, rest assured, 31 other teams would be interested in him—and he wouldn’t spend much time as a healthy scratch elsewhere. Players like him, who can play, hit, command respect, and fight effectively, are a rare breed.
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