The Canadiens announced on Tuesday that Arber Xhekaj would require surgery on his injured left shoulder.
Xhekaj is anticipated to be ready for the start of next season, but how concerned should the Canadiens be about the 23-year-old defenseman, who will be a restricted free agency this summer?
That’s the main question answered on this week’s HI/O Show, which features The Gazette’s Stu Cowan, former Canadiens Chris Nilan and Rick Green — who won the Stanley Cup as teammates in 1986 and had their fair share of injuries as players — and hockey statistics specialist Andrew Berkshire.
The panel also analyzes the Canadiens’ 9-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, which featured Juraj Slafkovsky’s first NHL hat trick.
Other topics of discussion include Christian Dvorak returning to the lineup following what was expected to be season-ending surgery for a torn pectoral muscle in January and scoring two goals against the Flyers, Colin White’s disappointing performance since being claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Justin Barron’s play since being called up from the AHL’s Laval Rocket, Joel Armia’s nomination for the Bill Masterton Trophy, and the impressive play of Mike
