At the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Montreal Canadiens selected forward Florian Xhekaj with the 101st overall pick. This was after Xhekaj posted 13 goals, 25 points, and 76 penalty minutes in 68 games during the 2022-23 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Xhekaj certainly created more hype surrounding him during the 2023-24 with the Brantford Bulldogs, however, as he recorded 34 goals and 65 points in 63 games with the OHL club. He also played in three games with the Laval Rocket that season, recording zero points and a minus-1 rating. 

Xhekaj just completed his first full season in the AHL with Laval, and he undoubtedly stood out. In 69 games with the AHL squad, he recorded 24 goals, 35 points, and 175 penalty minutes. With this, he certainly showed off his scoring touch and provided a ton of grit for Laval in the process. As a result, there is no question that he is one of the Canadiens' most fascinating prospects heading into the 2025-26 season.

If Xhekaj continues to improve next season with Laval, he could make a real case for himself to see time in the Canadiens' bottom six. His mix of toughness and skill is certainly encouraging, so he is a prospect who fans should not sleep on. The possibility of him becoming a nice part of the Canadiens' roster in the future is certainly there.

Canadiens' Blueline Ranked Among NHL's BestIt is no secret that the Montreal Canadiens have a strong defensive group. They only improved upon this off-season, too, as they acquired star blueliner Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders last month.

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