Montreal's Arber Xhekaj destroys Arizona's Zack Kassian in violent scrap

The Montreal Canadiens may have found a diamond in the rough in 21-year-old Arber Xhekaj, who shocked everyone when he made the Habs' opening night roster out of training camp.

Xhekaj is never going to be a guy who will shoot the lights out for the Habs, but the 6'4, 238-pound defender is a guy who will put the fear of God into the opposition. Case in point, this first period scrap between he and Zack Kassian, who is one tough customer in his own right.


Xhekaj made quick work of Kassian, who has been around the block a few times with the who's who of NHL tough guys. You have to imagine that will put other teams' tough guys on notice and earn Xhekaj some serious respect around the league.