Prospect Info: Florian Xhekaj

[Tyson]

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

Question- do you think the Habs should consider moving Arber to the wing? There are many examples of Dmen who have played both positions, D and FWD.
Jimmy Roberts is someone I remember Scotty Bowman using at both positions, Brent Burns is another.
The one that closely resembles Arber is Nicholas Deslauriers who was drafted as a Dman if I am not mistaken.
With the Habs having so many promising D in the pipeline I think it is something they should look at.

 

[Whitesnake]

Question- do you think the Habs should consider moving Arber to the wing? There are many examples of Dmen who have played both positions, D and FWD.
Jimmy Roberts is someone I remember Scotty Bowman using at both positions, Brent Burns is another.
The one that closely resembles Arber is Nicholas Deslauriers who was drafted as a Dman if I am not mistaken.
With the Habs having so many promising D in the pipeline I think it is something they should look at.

Dustin Byfuglien.

 

[Whitesnake]

A 4th line composed of both brothers in the wings of a 4th line could be a lot of fun....maybe not always for the coach...but clearly for the fans..lol

 

[Victoire HuGo]

Putting defenseman at forward is the trope I hate the most in hockey.

 

[Tyson]

Dustin Byfuglien.

Great example

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Question- do you think the Habs should consider moving Arber to the wing? There are many examples of Dmen who have played both positions, D and FWD.
Jimmy Roberts is someone I remember Scotty Bowman using at both positions, Brent Burns is another.
The one that closely resembles Arber is Nicholas Deslauriers who was drafted as a Dman if I am not mistaken.
With the Habs having so many promising D in the pipeline I think it is something they should look at.

I’d move Mailloux to the wing in a blink. He has many NHL qualities: size, offensive vision, shot and compete level. But this kid can’t skate at an NHL level required to be an effective defenceman.

Abner has a bit more quickness/ explosiveness than Mailloux, but his top end speed once in flight is lower and he lacks Mailloux’s play making skills and offensive vision.

Abner is going to have to make his mark as a defenceman in the NHL while Mailloux’s only pathway to the next level is as a power/ offensive winger.

 

[FrankMTL]

Goal number 20 for our boy Flo!

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

His nickname is chip ?

 

[EveryDay]

That's another solid prospect that is coming in mtl soon. He's a beast at both end of the ice.

 

[Tyson]

That's another solid prospect that is coming in mtl soon. He's a beast at both end of the ice.

 

[Saundies]

That's another solid prospect that is coming in mtl soon. He's a beast at both end of the ice.

Sandpaper + some offense on the bottom two lines will be greatly appreciated going forward.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Putting defenseman at forward is the trope I hate the most in hockey.

Especially when they’re still developing … under 24yr, say.

“Move him to forward!”

Counterpoint:
“Coach him! Teach. Develop.”

 

[Vachon23]

The one that closely resembles Arber is Nicholas Deslauriers who was drafted as a Dman if I am not mistaken

Yes and Deslauriers was a very good Dmen in JNR

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

The one that closely resembles Arber is Nicholas Deslauriers who was drafted as a Dman if I am not mistaken.
With the Habs having so many promising D in the pipeline I think it is something they should look at.

He indeed was, the Kings turned him into a forward quite late too, after 2 full seasons in the AHL IIRC It's a fair comparison.

 

[montreal]

 

[yianik]

I think it just speaks to the rarity to have someone who fights and accumulates penalty minutes at that rate and still be able to score 20 goals.

Say hello to Chris " knuckles " Nilan.

 

[yianik]

What do you know, sometimes you need to let the beast out to enjoy the full upside.

 

[Bacchus1]

Putting defenseman at forward is the trope I hate the most in hockey.

It looks like it is either that or we trade him. Once Reinbacher graduates X will be like the 8th D. And if Mailloux ever graduates, he would be 9th.

Of course, Savard might not return, and maybe he can take his spot if he becomes a fearless shot blocker.

 

[L4br3cqu3]

It looks like it is either that or we trade him. Once Reinbacher graduates X will be like the 8th D. And if Mailloux ever graduates, he would be 9th.

Of course, Savard might not return, and maybe he can take his spot if he becomes a fearless shot blocker.

I think Reinbacher graduating is a big 'if' too, and it's not because of his very apparent potential whenever he happens to play, more because he played 19 AHL games since last year because he's always hurt.

I'll humbly add Engstrom to the mix, though.

Still, you're right, if he wants to play he'll either have to improve big time in his zone, either play forward, something I think he may be better at, I think he's just repressing his predominant offensive instincts this season to 'fit in' defensively, which isn't great to see, playing forward may be just what he needs (and what the Habs also need up front). Let's say they try him as a forward and it works, bring in Florian and Tuch, we have a hell of a potential modern 'classic' 4th line.

But yeah, lots of 'ifs', same with Florian though, he's late blooming this season, but he may very well get that infamous 'sophomore jinx' next season, we just have to be patient.

 

[Naslund]

It looks like it is either that or we trade him. Once Reinbacher graduates X will be like the 8th D. And if Mailloux ever graduates, he would be 9th.

Of course, Savard might not return, and maybe he can take his spot if he becomes a fearless shot blocker.

Matheson has one year left on his contract. What they do with him is much more consequential to Arber than anything else. I think Lane and Guhle will always be above Arber. It's looking like Struble may be as well.

 

[JJ68]

I really really want...no..need to see the bothers playing on the Habs together soon.

 

[yianik]

Yeah but lookvat the writing on the wall in front of you. Florian may be at his best when he plays a nasty kind of game which attracts penalties. Arber looks like he is on his way out.

I get that MSL and many here dont like all the penalties, but for me I accept it because I think players like this ( not just enforcers ) add value to the team. We went to the finals in part because of our massive nasty D. Back them we needed a PMD. I fear that this time we may be undervaluing the big , nasty guy.

 

[ahmedou]

FLORIAN XHEKAJ: 2ND PLAYER IN THE AHL HISTORY WITH 20+ GOALS AND 150 PENALTY MINUTES

 

[Habitant#1]

I hope they take their time with Florian.
The Habs can afford to slow cook the majority of their prospects from now on IMO.