HabsAddict
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Obviously the rest of Habs defenseman never make a mistake. Particularly offensive juggernauts like Carrier.
Good thing you're an expert on the subject...
Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj the Sheriff Returns Edition
- Thread starter ahmedou
- Start date
Good thing you're an expert on the subject...
- Jan 18, 2022
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That's not exactly what I said, was it?
I provided a context to the decision to bench (and now scratch) Xhekaj. MSL is fighting for the playoffs, he's not going to be even-handed when he feels other players are more likely to be reliable. Xhekaj was in the dog-house all season.
Not sure what you mean -- we're all shooting the shit here, take it easy.
Hannibal
Fear the Weber
- Feb 11, 2007
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Play the f***ing kid. That run is perfect for giving young player experience. Not to sit them. Wake the f*** up.
Monsieur Miz
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- Nov 3, 2017
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Didn't he already voice his displeasure about not playing? Don't think he's going to be here for long.
JJ68
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- Oct 5, 2017
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imagine benching Arber for guys like Savard and such who aren't here for the long term
Xhekaj has been passed by Struble - Redenbacher & the Swede likely have surpassed him on Habs depth chart.
I expect he’ll be dealt this summer, haven’t seen much progression in decision making / actually playing the game of hockey - and for an org that’s heavily influenced by USA hockey thinking Gorton, Hughes, MSL, Adam Nicholas that doesn’t bode well for The Sheriff
He’s gonzo this summer
I expect he’ll be dealt this summer, haven’t seen much progression in decision making / actually playing the game of hockey - and for an org that’s heavily influenced by USA hockey thinking Gorton, Hughes, MSL, Adam Nicholas that doesn’t bode well for The Sheriff
He’s gonzo this summer
DAChampion
Registered User
- May 28, 2011
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It would be complete irrational of this team to discard Xhekaj.
I don't know about the longterm, but short term the defense looked better today. Guhle obviously makes a big difference, but Xhekaj was making some really bad decisions lately.
I'm definitely more comfortable with Struble at the moment.
I'm definitely more comfortable with Struble at the moment.
OldCraig71
Registered User
26Mats
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- Jun 23, 2018
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We're in a playoff race. We're not thinking long term for the final 10 games of the regular season. And that's ok.
I mean, the playoff race and the playoffs themselves are great for the experience of the youth. So that means icing what MSL sees as the best possible chance to win now and get into the playoffs. If that means benching one young player, the payoff is still there for the other young players.
Now I wouldn't bench Xhekaj in favor or Savard now, based on trying to win now. But who's better now is a different debate.
26Mats
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2018
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I wasn't able to watch either. But looking at the icetimes is interesting. Carrier the highest used at 24 something. Matheson only had 22 something of ice time (that's more like it). And Savard only had 10 something minutes (also more like it). From the ice time it seems the bottom pair was Struble - Savard. Struble played about 17 minutes. But yeah, would be good to hear from someone who watched the game.
Still remember when everyone was calling him “ a unicorn!” And that “they wouldn’t trade him for even a first rounder!”
Good times
Good times
Xhekaj bring something unique to our team, and will keep getting better. However, at the moment, he is not better than the other six defensemen that played today, including Savard who is clearly not the player he used to be.
We have Reinbacher coming next year, so there will be even more pressure on Xhekaj to improve to stay on this team.
We have Reinbacher coming next year, so there will be even more pressure on Xhekaj to improve to stay on this team.
HabsAddict
Registered User
Young guys make...irrational decisions.
In perfect hindsight, he should of never went so far out of his way for a hit. But...in his mind he probably thought that hit would be a difference maker. So in that split second he took it.
Look, i had thousands of employees and the amount of times they made crazy decisions in a highly structured enviroment...would make your eyes roll out of their sockets. The way i handled it was to make sure they were aware of it and move on. I may have been boiling on the inside, but humans are humans.
In the case of X and his adventure, 10 minutes in the video room and a figuratively a bit of ear pulling is enough. For sure, he's going to do it again, but you look at it as a process, not in black and white absolutism.
It's 2025 and the world has evolved into teaching and patience. The old world of stick and carrot is dead.
As for trading X...it would be an epic mistake. X wont settle closer to his final version for a few more years. Whatever bone head plays he makes now will diminish to rare exceptions rather then normal play.
In perfect hindsight, he should of never went so far out of his way for a hit. But...in his mind he probably thought that hit would be a difference maker. So in that split second he took it.
Look, i had thousands of employees and the amount of times they made crazy decisions in a highly structured enviroment...would make your eyes roll out of their sockets. The way i handled it was to make sure they were aware of it and move on. I may have been boiling on the inside, but humans are humans.
In the case of X and his adventure, 10 minutes in the video room and a figuratively a bit of ear pulling is enough. For sure, he's going to do it again, but you look at it as a process, not in black and white absolutism.
It's 2025 and the world has evolved into teaching and patience. The old world of stick and carrot is dead.
As for trading X...it would be an epic mistake. X wont settle closer to his final version for a few more years. Whatever bone head plays he makes now will diminish to rare exceptions rather then normal play.
So a Mesar or a Poehling or whatever late 1st for Xhekaj that might have an impact in 5-6 years ? No thanks . Xhekaj is my 6th D long term. We can move out other players competing with him for that spot . No one’s brings the package of seize , shot , fighting X brings .
Hannibal
Fear the Weber
- Feb 11, 2007
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Yes. On a third pair, playing 14-15 minutes a night, gimme Xhekaj way before Struble. Xhekaj brings something special. What does Struble bring unique? Nothing. I prefer having a psycho playing 14-15 minutes on our third pair than someone who tries to bring the same thing as the other dman on our team. No disrespect to Struble. But it is what it is.
Deebs
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- Feb 5, 2014
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And as of right now, I'm the opposite.
I prefer the better skating, better positioning, better decision making that Struble brings to the table. He still struggles at times but most young players do. I love the toughness and physicality Arber brings but what I love even more is a player that helps the team win games and I think at this moment, it's leaning in Struble's favour.
Moving forward into next season, I can see both players being on the team in different capacities. I can also see both not on the team pending how we're wanting our backend to look. Lots of options is a good thing.
Habano
MSL is a 🤡
- May 18, 2012
- 5,098
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At this point it's obvious our midget coach doesn't like X. If X was the only D that made mistakes, I would understand but, every single one of our Ds make multiple mistakes every game but not a single one has been held accountable other than X. Arber is allowed one mistake, if he hits his quota, his minutes are reduced or he is benched competely.
At this point, Xhekaj should ask for a trade as soon as the teams are allowed to trade again. Tell the team they have two weeks to get a deal done or he will go public with his trade demands and force the habs to lose their leverage and deal from a position of weakness. What are they gonna do, bench him? lol.
Contrary to the popular belief of many members on our board, there are a lot of teams that would take him in a second. I think he would look great in a Bruins or Sens jersey among many others. I hope he does it because as long as the midget is our coach, X won't get a fair shake.
At this point, Xhekaj should ask for a trade as soon as the teams are allowed to trade again. Tell the team they have two weeks to get a deal done or he will go public with his trade demands and force the habs to lose their leverage and deal from a position of weakness. What are they gonna do, bench him? lol.
Contrary to the popular belief of many members on our board, there are a lot of teams that would take him in a second. I think he would look great in a Bruins or Sens jersey among many others. I hope he does it because as long as the midget is our coach, X won't get a fair shake.
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The point is he was and is overrated. Yes he brings toughness, but he’s a 3rd pairing dman, not the invaluable “unicorn” people made him out to be.
And the hypothetical trade I mentioned was a sarcasm, as that is what people thought was his value when the reality is no team would trade a first for him.
Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
Hannibal
Fear the Weber
- Feb 11, 2007
- 10,170
- 7,052
MSL is still a f***ing clown.
Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
HabsAddict
Registered User
Marty and Vinny are graduates from the same management school. They still have a foot in the whipping coaches of the 50s but not there yet in patience of what is essentially teaching and developing.
The first lesson i learned in large group management was to be consistent. You have to treat everyone equally no matter how much ones instinct wants to play favorites. Marty is FAR from treating everyone equally. He favours some and punishes others. That absolutely chokes the best from people because they are afraid to make mistakes and then raises resentment to max when they see they are treated unfairly.
Of course Marty is in a unicorn position in the professional management world. He didn't get the coaching job because he excelled as a manager, he got it from his reputation as a player...and of course the language issue. And it shows....
This entire post is an epic fail... Too many holes to bother pointing out each one.
Elite sports doesn't work the way you think it does.
Fortunately, the team is currently run by a group that do understand what building a culture of excellence in professional sports requires, and they have the right people in place at the key positions to execute on it.
The success we are enjoying in this rebuild speaks for itself.
