26Mats
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I think Gorton and Hughes value Xhekaj. Word is they refused a 1st for him.
He's still developing. We'll see how good he'll become with the puck.
Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj the Sheriff Returns Edition
- Thread starter ahmedou
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He's still developing. We'll see how good he'll become with the puck.
26Mats
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Struble is ahead of X now. But in the past, X was ahead of Struble. This is just one moment in time. Not their entire careers.
Strubles edgework & lateral mobility are eons ahead of Xhekaj - and from his prep school & NCAA days he’s a nasty piece of work… that truculent element I expect to start showing itself more as time goes on / is more comfortable in his role
Hannibal
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Lol for a greek god, i find struble not that physical or intimidating. Bouillon 2.0
Gotta be honest the guy doesnt look that much taller than hutson lol
Scintillating10
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Deebs
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Struble is similar to Guhle where they like to pick their spots for making hits instead of taking themselves out of the play to do so. Arber is getting better in that regard but it's another reason why he isn't playing as much right now.
Really?
Pay attention to the post whistle scrums he's involved in the next few games.
I noticed the exact opposite a few times recently... Opposing players, including one that was noticeably bigger than Strubble, backing down as soon as he leaned in. He's clearly a very strong and tough player & I think opponents recognize it... In contact sports there are always guys whose strength is more felt than visible, and you figure that out quickly after a few close encounters.
Xhekaj being benched and scratched is not a surprise if you have been watching his play the last 2 weeks and listening to what the coach and defense have been saying to the media since the 4 nations break. The coaching staff has been hammering them on getting the stick on the puck first, then separating with the body second. This is exactly what Xhekaj has been struggling with the last few games. I imagine that he has seen Ghule getting ready to return and also seeing Struble playing well and felt he had to amp up the physicality to maintain his spot. When Xhekaj has a bad game, it is almost always because he is putting himself out of position for a hit.
When Struble and Xhekaj were swapping out earlier in the year, it was because they were both having problems with their positioning when being physical. If you watch them closely, when any of the defense lays out a big hit, they almost always make stick on puck contact first.
Listening and watching Guhle since he finished with junior hockey has been the same adjustment. He was a big hitter then, but not so much now. This is because he has been prioritizing solid defense first and playing the body second, and he has been clear in the past with explaining this to any reporter that asked over the last few years about where his physicality went since junior.
When Struble and Xhekaj were swapping out earlier in the year, it was because they were both having problems with their positioning when being physical. If you watch them closely, when any of the defense lays out a big hit, they almost always make stick on puck contact first.
Listening and watching Guhle since he finished with junior hockey has been the same adjustment. He was a big hitter then, but not so much now. This is because he has been prioritizing solid defense first and playing the body second, and he has been clear in the past with explaining this to any reporter that asked over the last few years about where his physicality went since junior.
26Mats
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Agree with this. But he's not the nuclear deterrent that Xhekaj is, that we haven't had in a while.
I was thinking if we had gotten Matthieu Olivier, if that would have made Xhekaj expendable. But we didn't. Would HiGo consider trading X and getting a replacement tough guy? It would have to be one really tough guy who can play the game, a unicorn. We'll see... We'll also see where Xhekaj's defensive game goes. I certainly don't like the Xhekaj - Savard pair.
It will be interesting to see what decisions management make on Matheson, Struble, Xhekaj, and Mailloux once Reinbacher is ready... may also use a D as a piece to get a 2c...
If none of our best 4 d are used as trade chips, I could see our future top 4 being:
Hutson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Carrier
Who then becomes the bottom pair?
Xhekaj - Matheson?
Struble - Mailloux?
Hannibal
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Who is TBays “tough guy”? Avs? Stars?
Big strong players who are tough to control play against (Slaf, Anderson, Armia, Heineken..) yes.
I don’t see “tough guy” who serves no other purpose except toughness, as a tenet of HuGo & MSLs roster building philosophy…
Hannibal
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Arber will not only be a « tough guy ».
Guess you forgort 3/4 of Xhekaj’s season where he was looking very good.
And i guess you forgot Struble’s season. Where was he when Guhle was out? He was on a condition stint in laval because he was ass.
What have you done fore me lately mentality.
Hughes coached Struble in youth hockey, he knows him - Xhekaj was inherited.
Struble will get benefit of the doubt over Xhekaj, should it come down to it
Guy Larose
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Truth of the matter is that if X wasn't a premium face puncher, most of this board would be trying to run him out of town for his borderline NHL play, in HFBoard's usual fashion. Laugh all you want and all that, but it is what it is. He didn't play last game and everything was tighter. Not a coincidence. Also, to the ones bashing MSL, they were supposed to be a bottom 5 team and he brought them where they are, so save us with the usual bashing when you have no idea what you're talking about.
Hannibal
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And that is a mistake.
When the last time a coach or GM who fell in love with a player went well? Hughes traded for newhook is former client. Went well, didn’t it? Lol
He’s going to be fine in the role he was acquired for starting next season … 3C
I’d say former client Matheson’s also turned out quite well
The Great Weal
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He hasn't been good lately but people are very quick to forget that he's been way more good than bad this season. Recency bias is a crazy thing.
habdynasty
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Heffyhoof
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Took the words from me. It's kinda fun watching these 'storylines' get repeated enough to be accepted.
Hannibal
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Agree. What have you done for me lately. Stupid stuff.
Hannibal
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That would mean they have someone who can absorb 25TOI+ & other D options have also grown….which is good news
Hannibal
Fear the Weber
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Matheson can absorb 25 minutes of play, but that doesnt mean thats 25 minutes of good hockey. The guy is abysmal in his decision making most of the time.
Matheson also makes $4.8M, pls show me other Dman in the league who play 25TOI+ in tough situations for their playoff challenging team making that AAV?
Yes I too would prefer if he could perform like Hedman for $4.8M…
Walksss
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What have you done for me lately mentality? Are you referring to development? Lol.
If you watch games lately and come away thinking that Struble's play is in any way inferior to Xhekaj's play at any point this season, or ever, then you aren't much of a hockey scout. Struble has played the last stretch of games better than Xhekaj has ever played, and I just don't see how anyone could honestly claim otherwise, he's just become a much better actual hockey player in this latest stretch.
If Xhekaj could match that level of play while providing the toughness and fighting aspect that would be amazing and we should all hope for that. However toughness doesn't make up for the quality of play between these 2 right now which has become pretty apparent.
