Let’s be frank, Arber Xhekaj may be having a training camp that fell short of expectations. He may decide to waltz in at the wrong time, during the preparatory games, thus offending some people in the process, but he plays his role as protector. Point.
The Sheriffeven if Jayden Struble was fabulous Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators, brings elements that few players can boast of bringing to a club. The guy is seen as one of the most abrasive on the circuit, if not one of the three best brawlers. He knows how to play hockey and his strength is close to that of a horse, or even a Western ox.
A head coach cannot do without such services from a soldier so committed to his teammates. Cole Caufield has also filed a full plea in favor of his brother in arms.
“Obviously there’s no intent to hurt, there’s no intent to hurt anyone, but he’s a protector. He’s a guy that you want on your team, that everyone respects, and I know he’s respected throughout the league. He is physical and he brings a lot of other things. There are right ways and wrong ways to do it, but at the end of the day, he’s fighting for one of us and he’s always ready to go to war, no matter what. I think that’s how he was raised, that’s how he was educated – he always takes care of the people who take care of him. It’s good to have a guy like that on your team, who is willing to do anything for you. It’s rare to have someone who does it so regularly. I think we stand up for each other, but he’s the best example of that.”
What more can we add to these very fair words from Cole Caufield? Absolutely nothing! The diminutive number 13, without wanting to, sent an excessively clear message to his coach, specifying that players like the Wifi did not roam the streets. THE Sheriff must be in uniform during the opening duel at the Bell Centre, against the Toronto Leafs, on October 9.
Voilà!
