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Canadiens Analysis

Montreal Canadiens Contract Options For Prospect Florian Xhekaj

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3 weeks ago

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Montreal Canadiens prospect Florian hekaj

When it comes to prospects, the bulk of the value will be found in the first round for a team like the Montreal Canadiens. Hitting on top picks is an essential aspect of building a contending roster.

But you also want to fill the ranks with depth players who can make a positive impact, and that’s where the mid-round picks come into play.

It’s rare, but once in a while, you can find a hidden gem beyond the first round. Players like Brendan Gallagher (5th round, 2010) and Joshua Roy (5th round, 2021) immediately spring to mind.

This brings us to the latest player to defy the odds despite being drafted later than most NHL players: Florian Xhekaj.

Context Is Everything

Before we delve into Xhekaj’s play this season, we should mention he was older than most of the other players chosen in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. This mitigates some of the value he brings to the table, as there’s probably less developmental runway left in his case compared to most of his CHL counterparts.

But it would also be foolish to completely ignore the progress made by Xhekaj, even if he turns 20 in roughly two months.

To put it mildly, Florian didn’t just improve his production for the Bulldogs, he blew all expectations out of the water, as is often the case for a player hailing from the Xhekaj family.

In 2022-23, his first year in the OHL, Xhekaj earned 13 goals and 12 assists in 68, an underwhelming level of production.

In 2023-24, Xhekaj scored 34 goals and 31 assists in 63 games, pushing his points-per-game ratio from 0.37 to 1.03.

Another way of putting it is that he went from getting a point from every third game to registering his name on the scoresheet during most outings.

He was given an opportunity and he seized with the type of commanding force we’ve come to expect from a Xhekaj.

His most recent exploit involved scoring two goals to push the Bulldog’s first-round playoff matchup against the Ottawa 67’s to a game seven. The 67’s were victorious in the deciding game, but Xhekaj’s results in the playoffs further confirmed his production probably isn’t a mirage.

Yes, he can handle himself well in heavyweight fights, just like his brother, but when evaluating his play this season one thing was very clear.

On top of scoring in a bevy of ways, he was also scoring the types of goals that you expect to see from high-profile prospects. It wasn’t just a case of scoring garbage goals against smaller opponents.

Options Moving Forward

Given his impressive evolution, the Montreal Canadiens have a few interesting options when it comes to the next step for Xhekaj.

He is still eligible to return to the OHL next season. The Habs could opt to simply give him more time to ply his trade in Junior leagues before pushing him up the organizational depth ladder. There’s really no rush, as the deadline to sign Florian Xhekaj before the Canadiens lose his rights is June 1st, 2025.

They could offer him an amateur tryout (ATO) via the Laval Rocket. This would allow Xhekaj to participate in a few AHL games, while also providing the front office with an opportunity to establish his potential when facing a high-level of opponent. The ATO would also allow him to return to the CHL next season.

The third option would involve the Canadiens offering Xhekaj an entry-level contract (ELC). He would then be available to be loaned to the Laval Rocket, while also maintaining his eligibility to play in the CHL next year. This would not allow Xhekaj to participate in the AHL playoffs if the Rocket were the qualify, as he will have missed the cutoff date.

Following Suit

We may see a repeat of the route taken by Joshua Roy a couple of years ago, which was a combination of two options.

This would lead to an ATO at first, giving Xhejah the option to join the Rocket immediately. It would also mean he could participate in the Calder Cup playoffs since the cutoff date only applies to players on professional contracts. According to the local experts, it would not be surprising to see Xhekaj finish his season in Laval.

Once the audition is over, the Montreal Canadiens can then proceed to offer him an ELC if they so desire, which would only kick in next season.

Regardless of which approach is taken, the mere fact that we’re discussing contract options for a player chosen in the fourth round of last year’s draft is rather encouraging. And while the scouting team deserves some credit for the pick, it’s clear Xhekaj has done everything within the realm of possibility to improve his long-term value to the franchise.

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Dana

I’d like to see him in Laval next year. He was good the first half with the bulldogs this year but he was very good- almost dominant the second half. He grew a lot between the two years and has adjusted to his size. I don’t think he has a lot to prove by going back to junior and would benefit from stepping up to the next level but our management team would have the experience to decide the best course. He is an interesting prospect, no slam dunk sure thing, but he has a lot of traits and skills that could fit nicely with the group being assembled in Montreal as we don’t have a truly intimidating forward( sorry josh, tough but not really intimidating).

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Jay

Slaf could develop into an intimidating forward. Then again two is always better than one.

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Dana

Think Slaf is more of a Joe Thornton type personality but he’s willing to use his big body as a weapon and defend his teammates but I don’t think he’s a fighter or intimidator. But two Xhekaj are better than 1…

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Tyrone

Considering all the talented (and small) prospects we will have in Laval next season, I’d feel a lot more comfortable if there was a Xhekaj along with them, to keep the opposition honest and refrain from taking liberties with players like Mesar, Hutson, Farrell, Simoneau, etc.

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Dana

Good point. Lot of guys willing to fight in the AHL, and we don’t want him fighting all the time, but he didn’t in the OHL and he will learn there the methods and merit in intimidation without having to always back it up, like his brother does.

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Tyrone

Perhaps he’ll face his initiation vs Belleville like Arber did vs Kastelic. A decisive KO like big bro will do wonders in establishing a reputation to not be messed with.

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Dana

In the hockey world, your reputation precedes you as you move to the next level. In the hockey fighting community, it’s even more so, especially if your family name is well established. There will be lots of guys willing to give him a shot and he will gladly oblige a few times to establish and solidify his brand at the next level. What I like about the Xhekaj brothers is they aren’t bullies, they are good players that allow their teammates to play with greater freedom and contribute in other ways as well. However, Florian, like all prospects, needs to work on his total game, and not just try to fight his way into a role with the Habs. He scored 34 goals- tied with our own Owen Beck and the highly regarded leaf prospect Easton Cowan for 23rd in the OHL so he can score and go more than fight.

In looking at the projected needs the club will have, Florian has the type of skills that make him a pretty decent prospect. Good job by Hughes to draft him as his stats certainly didn’t warrant the selection, but his name certainly did. Looking forward to watching this player

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Tyrone

I’m very bullish on him. He’s in my top 5 for sure of prospects in our system behind Roy, Hutson, Beck and Mailloux with a chance to join the top 3 if he has a great season in Laval next year. I value him more than Reinbacher at this point.

Last edited 22 days ago by Tyrone
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Dana

I like him too but I see him as a bottom 6 forward getting limited minutes but playing a larger role than just the minutes would insinuate. Reinbacher will be a top 4 defenseman and potentially top pair so I still value him ahead of Florian. Florian will require at least one year in the AHL I suspect but tgat depends on who they hire to coach and develop the prospects in Laval.

I have Roy as a player not a prospect at this point as he looked so good and would still be there if healthy. Notice you don’t have any goalie on your list, not that I’m disagreeing, just asking?

We are noticeably thin up front on prospects. Our big 4 were taken 1,3,13 and 15th. We need several more top 10 guys in our top 6, draft one in June and trade for one. And we still have 2 first rounders next year to keep the pipeline stocked. Cap space for free agents, things are shaping up.

I’d like them to bring Monahan back again to be on line 3 with Roy and Newhook. That would be an excellent line but one of them will play with Dach on the second line until the guy drsfted this year develops. That means we need to trade for a second line player this off season.

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Tyrone

While I have faith and high hopes for Fowler, I have him probably 7th on my list of best prospects we have. Goalies are much more of a crapshoot than skaters, so because of that I have 6 skaters ahead of him. Fowler is doing pretty much what Primeau did at Northeastern and he’s taken years to just show that he might actually be able to play in the NHL. I like Fowler’s pedigree more than Primeau in the sense that Fowler has proven himself to be the best goalie in the league everywhere he’s ever gone, so when we consider he did it again in his first year in the NCAA, I’m excited to see if he can do it in the AHL in 2yrs. If he pulls that off, I’ll be 100% in his corner and licking my chops to see him in Montreal.

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