Florian Xhekaj: Pascal Vincent wasn’t sure he’d stay at Laval
The Laval Rocket is coming off an excellent season, the best in its history, finishing first in the AHL and reaching the third round of the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the team lost in four games to the Charlotte Checkers, but let’s not let that rushed elimination overshadow the Rocket’s many accomplishments over the past campaign.
Behind these successes, there were many good performances from the Laval players and a few nice surprises.
One of them is Florian Xhekaj’s rookie season.
He even considered sending the young forward to the Trois-Rivières Lions or returning him to junior with the Brantford Bulldogs.
In the coach’s plans, it was instead Luke Tuch who was to assume the role of Rocket strongman.
In the end, not only did Xhekaj stay with the Rocket for the entire season, but he also scored 24 goals, a franchise record for a rookie, and accumulated 175 penalty minutes in the regular season.
WOW! What a move by Florian Xhekaj!
#GoRocket on RDS
pic.twitter.com/PHzZ0b4k5T
– RDS (@RDSca) May 22, 2025
His offensive production was more subdued in the series, with just three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 13 games, but he continued to impose himself physically, earning 59 penalty minutes.
It also shows the rapid development of his game, as he has gone from an uncertain player to a regular forward who helps his club succeed.
And that’s good news for the Canadiens, because players who can both play the goon role and contribute offensively are still a rare commodity in the NHL.
Florian Xhekaj is only the second player in AHL history with 20+ goals and 150 penalty minutes in a season.
(H/T @RDSca) pic.twitter.com/aKQHQofIxW
– Canadiens Muse (@Canadiens_Muse) April 18, 2025
What’s more, the Habs are clearly going to need more sturdiness if they want to make it far in the playoffs in the years to come, and a player like Florian Xhekaj can clearly bring that element to the team.
We’re not talking about a future top-6 forward, but he’s clearly a player who could add some physicality to one of the last two lines.
However, I don’t think the young forward is ready to make the jump to the NHL just yet, and I’d give him at least another year to develop in Laval.
On the other hand, if he continues to improve like this, he could perhaps cause a surprise at the next camp, or at least ensure that he’s the first player on the Habs recall list.
Overtime
– Still in the League?
Pavel Datsyuk says he doesn’t want Alex Ovechkin to leave the NHL until he scores 1,000 career goals: “Until then, we won’t let him into Russia ” https://t.co/MzO0V2VL3i
– RMNB (@rmnb) June 8, 2025
– Is the media the problem?
Ex-Leaf Kapanen on experience in Toronto: “Media presence is big there & not always necessarily the best thing, but it does prepare you for the future. Coming to Edmonton, with it being in Canada, I was used to it. But I think you guys in Toronto, it’s still on another level”
– Mark Masters (@markhmasters) June 6, 2025
– What a slap in the face from Judge.
AARON JUDGE SENDS THIS BASEBALL INTO ORBIT
Red Sox-Yankees on ESPN
– ESPN (@espn) June 8, 2025
– Game 2 tonight.
PACERS. THUNDER. GAME 2.
The #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV continue TONIGHT at 8:00pm/et on ABC!
IND (1-0) OKC pic.twitter.com/DU04Kf1BE8
– NBA (@NBA) June 8, 2025
– A try with the CFM?
Pascal Siakam with some crafty soccer moves pregame!
– NBA (@NBA) June 8, 2025
