Arber Xhekaj (mod warning OP)

[LeProspector]

Was told to make a new thread by a mod, so I have. Guy has been brutal this season, his underlying numbers show a player that struggles moving the puck, and bad things happen when he is on the ice. Offensively he has 5 points in 53 games this season.

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.

What does his future look like?

Mod warning - Stick to discussing the player, stats, numbers, play, etc…..do not discuss other posters or call them names just bc you don’t agree with points/opinions.

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[Cas]

One of those players who just isn't very good, but continues to get opportunities because he's young, "tough," and on a bad team.

We have Mario Ferraro. Montreal has Arber Zhekaj.

 

[LeProspector]

One of those players who just isn't very good, but continues to get opportunities because he's young, "tough," and on a bad team.

We have Mario Ferraro. Montreal has Arber Zhekaj.

Fair point, I see him as a replacement guy/guy to put in when toughness is needed, but to play him all 82 games feels like he’ll be a detriment to his own team.

 

[Mr Kot]

He sort of had the signs really early on; just a face puncher who doesn't do much else. Usually when fans gloat about a player's annoyingness more than anything else, it's usually a tacit admission to that too.

 

[LeProspector]

He sort of had the signs really early on; just a face puncher who doesn't do much else. Usually when fans gloat about a player's annoyingness more than anything else, it's usually a tacit admission to that too.

Just like Rempe last year, when it comes to his on ice play though, brutal.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Pretty much the new Bryan Marchment

 

[benr]

Habs fans real happy they have this generation’s Shane hnidy. Is not easy when your team can’t score goals and gets beat up for 20 years straight

 

[Fatass]

Is this the guy Nick named X? Imo he’s kind of like that Rempe guy for the Rangers. A tough nut but really belongs in the Industrial League. Not an NHLer.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

as much as I dislike him I think he has alot of potential to be a good player in the NHL. has a ton of heart. he has things to work on but you can argue most 24 year old Dman also have things to improve.

MTL has a pretty bright future moving forward imo

 

[LeProspector]

I feel like being a face puncher or tough guy in the league - it sort of has to be a forward. There are only 6, maybe 7 slots for defenders every game. And to have one of them allocated to someone who at times is a detriment to his team means it’s up to the other 5 defenders to pick up for them, and that can be way more difficult than if he was a forward where there are usually 11 other forwards that can make up for it.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He will have a long career as a depth D, but the Habs are absolutely terrible and everyone looks very bad

 

[LeProspector]

He will have a long career as a depth D, but the Habs are absolutely terrible and everyone looks very bad

I think this is fair, and a realistic outcome.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Not our best defenseman obviously, but he has been good in the past 10 games or so IMO
At least, in my eye test

However, is also our "deterrent weapon", and having Xhekaj enable us to also have guys like Caufield and Hutson
Having a guy that can whoop the ass of like 99.9% of the league is important

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

He's a solid bottom pairing guy.

He use yo make a shit ton of mistakes and rarely do the good play, but has improved a lot and he's young, so there's still a solid chance he improves.

The majority of us hab fans wouod prefer the Habs get another player like him, but up front like Olivier, so it isnt just on Xhekaj to beat up anyone and everyone.

He gets loved even more because he doesn't back down from anyone and a lot of other team's fan base hate him and lives rent free in their heads. This thread and the previous ones are a prime example, which is rare as most people say a player lives rent free when its not even close.

He can take his time and learn about when to step up and crush someone and when he shouldn't as this overall sucks.

In 3, or 4 years when Montreal is hopefully better he will look better, too.

Josh Anderson has helped make less work for Xhekaj this year with him beating up Wilson and Trouba. Last year I believe it was Anderson beat Gadjovich, who is a heavyweight in the league.

Xhekaj not having to worry about who he will have to fight because of having Anderson remember how tough he is has helped Xhekaj focus more defense and you can see the improvement from last year.

His brother isn't as tough, but he's much more of an agitator. He's pretty solid on the PK, too.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...literally just had the primary assist on Cole Caufield's goal as I read this...beauty...


...Jackeye has much to work on, but he's a more than serviceable 3rd Pairing guy who is also the Nuclear Option should other players decide to take runs at our smaller stars...Habs fans are happy to have him in the fold, as well as his little brother, who's on our AHL team...

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Not our best defenseman obviously, but he has been good in the past 10 games or so IMO
At least, in my eye test

However, is also our "deterrent weapon", and having Xhekaj enable us to also have guys like Caufield and Hutson
Having a guy that can whoop the ass of like 99.9% of the league is important

He's been improving steadily since MSL calmed him down about fighting. I see him becoming a steady bottom 6 dman in the mold of Adam McQuaid. Except with more of a temper.

 

[bud12]

5pts at 5v5 this year. 2 less than Sanderson.

 

[TheFinalWord]

Pretty much the new Bryan Marchment

Marchment played over 1000 NHL games. He could play the game, despite the low-bridge hits.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

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.

so then why start a thread to talk about him? It’s a feel good story that dude is even in the league, no one is saying he’s an all star.

 

[MCR74]

Pretty much the new Bryan Marchment

Does he go for the knees?

 

[Halakitlikethat]

….he's been fine on the bottom pair for months now.

 

[CTHabsfan]

Just like Rempe last year, when it comes to his on ice play though, brutal.

Awful comparison. Xhekaj is a solid bottom pairing d-man who can play PK. Rempe does nothing but fight.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Xhekaj with a solid game tonight. He bullied Stutzle all night, got an assist and +1. And he's getting better and better each game.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Was told to make a new thread by a mod, so I have. Guy has been brutal this season, his underlying numbers show a player that struggles moving the puck, and bad things happen when he is on the ice. Offensively he has 5 points in 53 games this season.

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.

What does his future look like?

Mod warning - Stick to discussing the player, stats, numbers, play, etc…..do not discuss other posters or call them names just bc you don’t agree with points/opinions.

He hasn't been brutal. His analytics are underwhelming but he's on an underwhelming team. His relative numbers aren't great but he's on the 3rd pairing with Savard - who has worst in league numbers. Without Savard btw, his numbers jump 3 points almost to 50 percent.

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

Also notice that without Xehkaj, Savard's numbers are actually 7 points worse. X is carrying this guy like an anchor. If he had a decent partner he'd be over 50 percent.

He's actually been pretty solid and a lot more disciplined. I think he's going to be a really solid blueliner.

 

[JJ68]

Awful comparison. Xhekaj is a solid bottom pairing d-man who can play PK. Rempe does nothing but fight.

and the sheriff even beat his ass.

Xhekaj has been super solid this season. Much improved. I wish they'd allow him more opportunities to tee up his shot. But he;s a player you cant duplicate easily or replace. Not a lot of guys like him. He's popular here for a reason, and we're a knowledgable fanbase obviously.

Pretty soon, we'll have two Xhekajs....and that will be just awesome.