Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff Returns Edition

[HuGort]

Last 10 games Florian Xhekaj scored 6 goals, 3 were game winners. Since he got 3rd line center role, has responded well. He's a gamer.

 

[Rapala]

He absolutely flattens guys when he gets them in his sights, and he doesn’t chase the big hit nearly as much. He’s becoming a very dependable defender, and a guy that other teams avoid when possible. The team plays much bigger when he’s there, and other teams aren’t running at the Habs nearly as much now.

I wish he was given the opportunity to use his massive shot more often, maybe on the second unit powerplay, but overall he’s improved, and turned into a steady, physical, shutdown defender… who also happens to be one of the top heavyweights in the game.

Every time I see Suzuki looking for the late man I keep hoping it's Arber moving in for a one timer...

alas it's always Alexandre Carrier.

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[ahmedou]

Xhekaj on Tkachuk:

''I'm going to confront him. I'm going to go straight to him. I'm going to beat the crap out of him. I don't care. I want to make his life miserable. I want his evening to be painful. What I give him must be stronger than what he gives.''

 

[ReHabs]

Benched by MSL again. He’s not earning sufficient trust from his performances.

 

[Hannibal]

It was a bad game for him. It happens. He’ll bounce back, no worries.

 

[Guy Larose]

Benched by MSL again. He’s not earning sufficient trust from his performances.

Oh look, he can't troll the Slaf thread anymore so he's coming here. He sucked balls last night.

 

[waitin425]

I love Arber and hope he picks up his game. Would be nice to have him around long term. But not with the quality of play he is bringing.

 

[ReHabs]

Oh look, he can't troll the Slaf thread anymore so he's coming here. He sucked balls last night.

I talk about hockey. You talk about anonymous hockey commentators on HFBoards. We’re worlds apart young man.

Xhekaj is a potential fan fav but he has not developed as quickly as we would’ve liked or expected. My guess is one of he and Struble will not be on the Habs sooner than later, X having more trade value. Maybe Kent will cash in.

 

[Hannibal]

I love Arber and hope he picks up his game. Would be nice to have him around long term. But not with the quality of play he is bringing.

He’s been good for a long period of time now. Last night was his first real bad game since i don’t know when. It happens. He’ll bounce back.

 

[CAUFIELD]

He fumbles the puck one. Benched

Matheson does it all game . All good

 

[Deebs]

I love Arber and hope he picks up his game. Would be nice to have him around long term. But not with the quality of play he is bringing.

He's struggled for a good chunk of the year but we've seen periods of time where he looks like a solid 3rd pairing guy. That is his ceiling and there's nothing wrong with that. I think what he needs to do this offseason is drop a few lbs (5-10) and really work on his skating. His quickness and agility is just not good enough given his lack of anticipating the play properly out there. JMO

 

[Guy Larose]

Typical of this board that my post gets deleted and the troll's post stays....HF at its finest.

 

[Rapala]

He fumbles the puck one. Benched

Matheson does it all game . All good

The play that did him in was the pinch on his weak side. It's natural to think offense in that situation because you've lined him up in an offensive posture. I wish they'd leave it alone Xhekaj hasn't scored yet from that position as far as I can recall. Let him focus on playing LD on that left side.

 

[Tyson]

Every player has bad games but Arber has looked bad in 2 straight. It happens