Arber is the perfect 3rd pairing D man if he can clean up his defensive zone play and continue to improve his agility. With him losing weight this summer it's a great start to obtaining those goals. He'll also have the ability to move up a pairing if needed because of injuries.Anyhow, now that he’s locked for 2 years, my hope is that the coaching staff helps him develop his skills.
What I would like to happen is to gradually turn him into a PK specialist. Everyone on this board either wants or thinks Savard is on his way out at the tdl…. someone needs to take these minutes on the pk and I think Ghule is already overused for his own good. Matheson is a complete catastrophy on the pk. I don’t see Hutson being used in that role, and don’t think either Reinbacher or Mailloux will crack the lineup to start the season.
Xhekaj will likely continue to crush people with his massive hits, and will certainly continue to defend his teammates.
If he can cut the rest of his penalties, while continuing to dish out controlled violence, that would be a great improvement.
If they decide Xhekaj isn't worth such a commitment, he'll have no trouble finding other suitors who will.Good signing, Wifi has to stay healthy and improve his game. Habs will know better in two years if he is worth committing to long term.
I’d love to imagine that. It’s not his skating that’s the issue. It’s his defensive IQ. And we simply have better defencemen in the system. Do I go back to my original comment- he has a lot of work to to improve that to no longer be a liability. I’d love to see him make that step. But the game is getting away from « role » players and every player in the lineup needs to be better well roundedXhekaj is a solid skater who can actually play. Yes goons like Rempe might play 8 minutes per game but it is still a game of intimidation. Imagine having a player like Xhekaj who is just as tough as any good in the league but can also play close to 20 minutes per night?
Which is fine IF Habs have legit NHL players in these spots and not Harrises and Barrons.Unless he overexceeds his ceiling/potential, there is now way he plays 2nd pair in Mtl.
Would you have preferred a long-term contract? What did you want?My reservations on term are exactly that- if he takes that next step he’s going to ask for a lot more. And he’s probably looking at becoming a third pair LD.
I agree that 80's and 90's goon hockey won't come back but intimidation will always be there. Remember when Reaves ragdolled Pezzetta at the Bell Center late last season, that's why Xhekaj is needed.I’d love to imagine that. It’s not his skating that’s the issue. It’s his defensive IQ. And we simply have better defencemen in the system. Do I go back to my original comment- he has a lot of work to to improve that to no longer be a liability. I’d love to see him make that step. But the game is getting away from « role » players and every player in the lineup needs to be better well rounded
His term or dollars will have no consequences whatsoever on our ability to compete and pay our players who are due for raises or potential UFA’s.Great AAV. Mixed feelings about term. His injury history will either be a factor moving forward or it won’t. I believe this keeps him RFA afterwards?
I share your sentiment….I agree that 80's and 90's goon hockey won't come back but intimidation will always be there. Remember when Reaves ragdolled Pezzetta at the Bell Center late last season, that's why Xhekaj is needed.
Let's be honest- Arber Xhekaj will never be a star but he will be a very serviceable bottom pairing Dman whose ability to stand up to the toughest players is vital.
It all depends on what your definition of a star is.I agree that 80's and 90's goon hockey won't come back but intimidation will always be there. Remember when Reaves ragdolled Pezzetta at the Bell Center late last season, that's why Xhekaj is needed.
Let's be honest- Arber Xhekaj will never be a star but he will be a very serviceable bottom pairing Dman whose ability to stand up to the toughest players is vital.
I agree, fighting was a way to get notice and establish himself in the league. He's done that, now it's about getting better as a player and establishing himself offensively and defensively. He should still fight when needed like stepping up for a teammate or if the team is getting pushed around, but he's moved past the point of needing to seek out or accept useless fights.Why would he sign for 5-6 years at 3M/yr?
The league average salary today, on a cap at 83.5M is 3.5M/yr.
In 2 years when the cap is higher, you think he's going to sign for up to 6 years at under the league average?
If that's the case, it will have meant that he was awful over the next 2 years lol
The best thing he can do for his career, is to get away as much as possible, from this tag.
It doesn't mean he won't fight again, but when he will be so valuable on the ice, that they can't afford him sitting in the box for 5 mins because he decided to take on the other teams' face puncher...
That's when he will have taken the next step.
He's got it in him...best thing for him to ignore fans who just want him to fight for their entertainment.
Become so feared and so valuable, that no one wants to even test you.
I really think that's what MSL was trying to instill with Xhekaj last year and somehow, it got misconstrued into MSL not being a fan of the player.I agree, fighting was a way to get notice and establish himself in the league. He's done that, now it's about getting better as a player and establishing himself offensively and defensively. He should still fight when needed like stepping up for a teammate or if the team is getting pushed around, but he's moved past the point of needing to seek out or accept useless fights.
exactly , just needs to stay healthy and will dominate.Just glad to see the Sheriff is back! Now to prove his long term worth. Expect a man possessed for the next two years.
Guhle makes high contributions, when healthy. But I wonder how his cap hit will be affected by his lack of offensive numbers.300k more than I expected
Now Guhle gets the Suzuki special.
This is BS. When he returned from the A he was rejuvenated. He needs to find consistency but when he's at his best he's a force out there.Unless he overexceeds his ceiling/potential, there is now way he plays 2nd pair in Mtl.