Arber Xhekaj (mod warning OP)

[Bileur]

Xhekaj should be modeling his game on Matt Carkner.

Decent bottom pair guy who contributes well on the PK and is a great face puncher.

He’s essentially just missing consistency.

 

[bud12]

WHat a weird timing to make a trade about him while being a Sens fan when the guy just completly owned them last night by playing a good physical and steady game while going after their start all night with basically no response at all.

 

[Beville]

As long as you keep him in the 5/6th position, he can be fairly solid - and also painful.

 

[Auston Marlander]

He's fine as a bottom pairing guy on a bad team, he entertains the fans, but didn't bring much in terms of hockey. This is fine for Montreal, but he doesn't sniff the 8th d spot on a good team.

 

[JoVel]

For a player that was one of the most talked about players in the league for a year or so, he has done very little since. A feel good story, but when it comes to his play on the ice, he doesn’t have it.

People were talking about him because he was punching people in the face. I don't remember people claiming he was some star in the making.

 

[GrumpyKoala]

He an AHLer with upside and it happens that there's room for that on the Montreal squad

 

[Jeune Poulet]

I like him but he hasn't really grown since his first season.

I know he was never going to become a Norriis winner but I thought he might become more consistent and better defensively. Unfortunately, after getting hurt by Desharnais two years ago, he's been less assertive overall.

There's still time for him to grow as a player. He might do better under a different coaching staff too.

 

[Julien LG]

I've seen a lot of ahl defensemen on Montréal 3rd pair in the last few years. Arber is not one. He is a capable 3rd pairing D in this league on a middle team. He had a rough start but as long as he keep improving, he can also be a capable 3rd pairing D on a playoff team, no problem.

Weird timing for this thread if anything.

 

[Ciao]

I recall that some Habs fans suggested his trade value is a first-round pick and more.

I don't follow the Habs much, but my limited observations of him sure as heck didn't match that. To me, he looked like more of a fit with the Costco retail staff than an NHL defence corps.

However, I haven't seen anything of him lately, and Habs fans sure do love him. I guess that's what counts a whole lot more -- truly.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I've seen a lot of ahl defensemen on Montréal 3rd pair in the last few years. Arber is not one. He is a capable 3rd pairing D in this league on a middle team. He had a rough start but as long as he keep improving, he can also be a capable 3rd pairing D on a playoff team, no problem.

Weird timing for this thread if anything.

Yep. Montreal has had AHL quality blueliners on its roster a lot over the years. This guy doesn’t fall into that category.

And actually, I think Struble being held back is a shame. I think he’s going to be a quality NHL player but he can’t crack the glass because there are too many young blueliners on the left side now.

 

[ole ole]

I recall that some Habs fans suggested his trade value is a first-round pick and more.

I don't follow the Habs much, but my limited observations of him sure as heck didn't match that. To me, he looked like more of a fit with the Costco retail staff than an NHL defence corps.

However, I haven't seen anything of him lately, and Habs fans sure do love him. I guess that's what counts a whole lot more -- truly.

At least you admit at having limited observations which means you basically know nothing about the Sheriff.

He's fine as a bottom pairing guy on a bad team, he entertains the fans, but didn't bring much in terms of hockey. This is fine for Montreal, but he doesn't sniff the 8th d spot on a good team.

He'd be a perfect # 7 on a contending soft team. There's a few that would love him.