After being demoted from the Montreal Canadiens to Laval in the AHL, Arber Xhekaj opened up about his feelings on the move and how it caught him off guard. <h2>Xhekaj Suprised at Decision Sending Him to the Minors</h2> Arber Xhekaj has made a name for himself in Montreal, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his toughness. However, this wasn't enough to keep him in the NHL, as the Canadiens recently sent him down to the Minors, as part of the normal development process according to Head Coach Martin St. Louis. <q>#Habs Martin St-Louis on what Arber Xhekaj needs to focus on while down in Laval: just be a pro, just work. You guys are making a bigger deal out of this; he's a young player, it's part of his process to reach the highest ceiling he's going to reach as a professional athlete.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HabsInHighHeels/status/1732097056834035864'> </a></blockquote></div> Xhekaj recently opened up about the move, saying that he was surprised, but understood why the Canadiens made the decision. <q>Arber Xhekaj on the #Habs decision to send him to the AHL: «It was a little bit of a surprise it made sense from their point. They just want to see me play a lot of minutes and develop my game.»</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/al_sciola/status/1732085056359796750'> </a></blockquote></div> Xhekaj has just 3 points in his 17 games played this season, and will look to play more meaningful minutes with Laval as he continues to develop his game. <h2>Xhekaj's Toughness Will be Missed in Montreal</h2> Xhekaj has earned a reputation for being tough, fighting pretty much anyone who is willing to take him on. Hopefully, he doesn't become a target in the AHL for enforcers looking to make their own name. However, if this is the case, its likely Xhekaj will be able to hold his own. <q>reminder that pat maroon lost a fight to rookie arber xhekaj 😌</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/teapottoffoIi/status/1652450382638108673'> </a></blockquote></div> <q>That view of Xhekaj's fight! #habs</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Instahabs/status/1613730978731790339'> </a></blockquote></div> <q>Ryan Reaves vs. Arber Xhekaj</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1712250152948285661'> </a></blockquote></div> Time will tell when the Canadiens determine that Xhekaj is ready for another stint in the NHL. As seen on <a href='https://www.markerzone.com/news/index.php?no=307985' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Markerzone</a> - Beloved Enforcer Arber Xhekaj Comments on Being Sent to the AHL