Former Habs player speaks out on Martin St-Louis’ handling of Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble
PUBLICATION
Leo Honein
December 25, 2025 (1:36 PM)
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Since the start of the season, Martin St-Louis’ use of defensemen has been generating a lot of talk among Montreal Canadiens fans.
There seems to be a kind of musical chairs in place, and it is very common to see Arber Xhekaj replaced by Jayden Struble, which does not please a former member of the Canadiens at all.
During a segment that went viral on social media, Maxim Lapierre literally exploded on the subject.
Max Lapierre sends his message regarding Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj
He makes some good points.
“It’s weird as h*** that Xhekaj, every time he makes a mistake, he’s on the ‘front page’ of the Journal de Montréal.
Struble, what does he do?”
– Maxim Lapierre
The host of the La Poche Bleue podcast shared those comments following Martin St-Louis’ decision to use Adam Engström instead of the Sheriff during a recent Canadiens visit to Pittsburgh.
After that statement, there was a silence between him and Tony Marinaro, and afterward, the latter brought some nuance to Lapierre’s comment about number 47.
“Struble might be better technically, but Xhekaj has been playing better than him lately, and that’s what matters.”
– Tony Marinaro
It’s clear that he also seems to prefer having Arber Xhekaj in the Canadiens lineup over Jayden Struble.
I’m really curious to see what Martin St-Louis will do with this situation, especially with the eventual return to play of defenseman Kaiden Guhle.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
