Arber Xhekaj Sends Strong Message to New Maple Leafs Rival Ahead of Upcoming Season

In an interview with the media following a summer training session, tough defenseman Arber Xhekaj said he's fully ready to develop a direct rivalry with a former teammate well known to Canadiens fans: Michael Pezzetta.

Michael Pezzetta, an energetic fan-favorite known for his no-nonsense style, signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this summer after the Canadiens chose not to offer him a contract extension.

The signing raised eyebrows-and sparked the imagination of Montreal hockey fans-who could now witness a friendly showdown between two iconic depth players of recent Habs seasons.

Teammates for three years, Xhekaj and Pezzetta not only shared the same locker room but often the same physical approach to the game.

The two were at the center of several on-ice scrums, but also appeared in many viral clips off the ice, showcasing their camaraderie during practices and behind the scenes on game nights.

The first matchup between the Canadiens and Maple Leafs will take place on October 12 during the season opener in Toronto. Already a highly anticipated event for both markets, the game could now feature a new one-on-one battle in the grand tradition of personal rivalries.

During a Q&A session at the Alex Newhook and Friends Golf Classic Fan Fest, TSN reporter David Amber posed a series of questions to a panel featuring current and former Montreal Canadiens players.

In the meantime, Xhekaj continues to prepare for a season in which he hopes not only to assert his physical style but also to become an essential piece of Montreal's defensive core.

And if that involves throwing a few hits on a former brother-in-arms-so be it.