Prospect Info: [2023 - 101st] Florian Xhekaj (OHL - Brantford Bulldogs)

[Beendair Donedat]

He faces the same challenge as Florian, he has to get quicker to make the next level.

I agree with you, but I wouldn’t sleep on Thorpe. With the massive growth spurt he went through, it took some time for his body and mind to catch up to where his technique should be. I find that his skating has improved (his fighting ability as well) as he’s gained some muscle on his frame. He needs to work on his quick bursts and edges, but I find he’s improved dramatically in his overall game and I predict will play in the show someday. He makes the smart plays this year and has looked great in the games I’ve watched. Seems to be much more complete this year (to me) although his stats don’t reflect that as much in the scoring department. I’m a fan, and I think we got a really nice player here with some potential.

 

[Vachon23]

Pascal Vincent just compare Xhekaj to Adam Lowry at BPM Sport

 

[Redux91]

Pascal Vincent just compare Xhekaj to Adam Lowry at BPM Sport

But jokes aside lol, he has *blown away* my expectations since the draft
And my expectation was can he even be a 4th liner

Now it's treading towards wait can he be a f***ing 3rd liner? Lol
Good for him, keep it up

 

[Vachon23]

But jokes aside lol, he has *blown away* my expectations since the draft
And my expectation was can he even be a 4th liner

Now it's treading towards wait can he be a f***ing 3rd liner? Lol
Good for him, keep it up

Many where mad when he was drafted since they thought he could have been drafted earlier me the 1st but he was a great pick

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Hard to think he could legit barely skate when I first saw him as a OHL rookie 3 years ago. I've said it before, but those Xhekaj are freaking real life saiyan .

 

[Favster]

Hard to think he could legit barely skate when I first saw him as a OHL rookie 3 years ago. I've said it before, but those Xhekaj are freaking real life saiyan .

He can fly now its pretty crazy. Look how he seperates himself from the opposition on that breakaway, very impressive. If he can get quicker in tight spaces look out.

 

[montreal]

He can fly now its pretty crazy. Look how he seperates himself from the opposition on that breakaway, very impressive. If he can get quicker in tight spaces look out.

he needs to put in a lot of work this summer on his lower body strength and adding mass as he's not there yet physically as he will need to be harder to knock off pucks, he can hold his own against many but once he improves there it's going to be very interesting to see how much can his game progress or not. I've been saying that Hab fans are sleeping on him for some time, I'm glad the Habs aren't rushing him yet and letting him cook. So far it's been great as the leap from draft year to moving to center last year to 1st year pro has been outstanding to witness.

 

[Favster]

he needs to put in a lot of work this summer on his lower body strength and adding mass as he's not there yet physically as he will need to be harder to knock off pucks, he can hold his own against many but once he improves there it's going to be very interesting to see how much can his game progress or not. I've been saying that Hab fans are sleeping on him for some time, I'm glad the Habs aren't rushing him yet and letting him cook. So far it's been great as the leap from draft year to moving to center last year to 1st year pro has been outstanding to witness.

For sure. He has a build where he looks like he could put on 20 and still look lean

 

[Skip Bayless]

Pascal Vincent just compare Xhekaj to Adam Lowry at BPM Sport

When we drafted him, I said him and Tuch were going to give us the famous Jets 4th line from the 2017-18 playoffs.

 

[Redux91]

View attachment 997257

Lol for f***s sakes man

He scores
The guy bumps into him and then SLASHES him when confronted *only verbally* by FloJack

And the Ref is literally like OK DATS IT, BOTH OF YOU, GONE!

The 'reputation calls' have already started for him poor guy
It's just unrealll lol (Probably even Arbers fault lmao)

But man, I can't believe what a value pick this guy is turning out to be
They *actually* might not re-sign Armia because of this kid

 

[Scintillating10]

Florian playing well at center should take some of the pressure off Montreal looking for a center. On pace for 20 goals his rookie season. He plays a hard nosed two way game.

 

[Tyson]

Florian playing well at center should take some of the pressure off Montreal looking for a center. On pace for 20 goals his rookie season. He plays a hard nosed two way game.

The kid can actually play. He only played 2 years in the OHL and to be this good this quick is very promising. Vincent uses him in all situations.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

His last 33 games:

15 goals, 9 assists, 24 points, +11, 118 PIM, 3 SHG and 3 GWG

Crazy stats for a rookie playing mainly in the bottom six without a ton of PP time.

 

[Trabdy2]

Florian's performance in his AHL rookie year has definitely surpassed my expectations. I'm really curious to see how he looks come training camp. There's more offense in his game than I thought.

 

[Tyson]

Florian's performance in his AHL rookie year has definitely surpassed my expectations. I'm really curious to see how he looks come training camp. There's more offense in his game than I thought.

He needs to add a good 10-15 pounds on his frame. That will come over the next couple of seasons. I think another full AHL season next year is warranted. No need to rush him.

 

[badfish]

Eating crow on this guy, not that I get too worked up on anyone drafted after the 2nd round, but I thought it was a nepo pick at the time. I've watched a few Rocket games lately and thought he was really effective.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

I'd be thrilled if becomes a Lowry/bigger Max Talbot for us.

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[Adam Michaels]

When we drafted him, I said him and Tuch were going to give us the famous Jets 4th line from the 2017-18 playoffs.

View attachment 997346

And if Thorpe can make it, I say a Tuch - Xhekaj - Thorpe line will be hell for the opponents.

 

[FrankMTL]

Great shot by the kid. Already at 19 goals as a 20 year old rookie in the AHL.

 

[Matteus]

And if Thorpe can make it, I say a Tuch - Xhekaj - Thorpe line will be hell for the opponents.

I know Thorpe has size, but is he physical? I only saw him briefly at camp.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I know Thorpe has size, but is he physical? I only saw him briefly at camp.

Same here. But when he was on a line with Tuch and Xhekaj, they were heavy and effective on the forecheck. It gave me a glimpse of what might be in the future.

 

[Michoulicious]

Call him back on the Habs RIGHT NOW, put him and Arber on the 4th.

Slaf - Suzuki - Caufield
Heineman - Newhook - Laine
Anderson - D-Vo - Gallagher
Xhekaj - Evans - Xhekaj

Guhle-Carrier
Hutson-Struble
Matheson-Savard

His brother and him are just the perfect 4th liners for the NHL.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

The kid can actually play. He only played 2 years in the OHL and to be this good this quick is very promising. Vincent uses him in all situations.

I have watched this kid closely since we drafted him and have always come away impressed with his hockey skills and vision. As I have noted in the past, Florian keyed the Brantford power play last year. This is no bottom line plug.

His straightforward speed is already NHL level. But hockey today is mostly played in 10 to 15 sq foot areas where quickness and agility is paramount. Unless Florian gets quicker, his effectiveness at the next level will be muted.

Can he gain that extra step? As one poster said: never bet against a Xhekaj.