Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj the Sheriff Returns Edition

[Hannibal]

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.

You’ll look decent playing beside Hutson too. The guy is unreal.

Try to look decent beside Savard now.

 

[Adriatic]

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.

Nahh he's very good and a bargain at his salary

 

[The Great Weal]

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…

What does any of this have to do with what I said

 

[OldCraig71]

Let's not forget that every defense pairing has 2 players, and Savard's play of late hasn't done Arber any favors.

I am also open to the idea of having him play a game as a forward over sitting him, there is nothing to lose when you consider it would be Pezzetta or Roy coming out of the lineup.

 

[Walksss]

You’ll look decent playing beside Hutson too. The guy is unreal.

Try to look decent beside Savard now.

X looked awful next to Hutson, they've been caved in more than once when they've been out there together. Not sure I agree, even if I agree Savard is beyond cooked.

I think the natural decision should be to sit Savard and play an X - Struble pairing but it's obvious they don't want just a single RH shot defenceman in the lineup so that's not in the cards right now.

 

[Hannibal]

Nahh he's very good and a bargain at his salary

My god… the thing we read on this board. Jesus.

 

[LesCactus]

He better play tomorrow night. Mikkola needs to get a receipt for yesterday.

 

[Hannibal]

He better play tomorrow night. Mikkola needs to get a receipt for yesterday.

That and we need to give him the experience of this lucky run.

 

[Egresch]

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.

That is right and X was struggling a bit, but we have to be honest, he was heavily compensating for Savard. Most of dumped pucks had to be covered by him, because Savard was nowhere near. And speed is definitely not a strength of X.
Why cant we play like this?
Struble- Hutson (works well)
Matheson- Guhle (worked in the past)
Xhekaj-Carrier (X would compensate lack of strength from Carrier)

 

[Habano]

Meh, it is what it is. I'm the biggest X supporter and would love to keep him but, I've accepted the fact that he will probably be traded. Then, when one of our players get annihilated with a legal or dirty hit, everyone will be crying about needing someone tough in the lineup.

Sure, we have Anderson but, there's a reason X jumped in a couple of games ago. Anderson is playing hurt and I'd rather not see him fight. I'd rather see him on the ice causing havoc than sitting in the box for 5 minutes.

But like I said, it is what it is and nothing we can say or do will sway the management whether to keep or trade him. So, I will sit back and watch the scenario unfold.

 

[Wats]

Don't agree with the sentiment he'll be traded. He's just not playing that well right now.

He's the perfect 3rd pairing LD, he just needs a good partner to compliment his flaws. Reinbacher might be the answer next season.

 

[Habano]

Don't agree with the sentiment he'll be traded.

He's the perfect 3rd pairing LD, he just needs a good partner to compliment his flaws. Reinbacher might be the answer next season.

I hope you're right

 

[Forum93]

He better play tomorrow night. Mikkola needs to get a receipt for yesterday.

MSL change a winning line-up, I don't think so. Unless Arber takes Pez's spot I don't see Struble or Savard sitting out.

 

[Lycanthrope]

It would be complete irrational of this team to discard Xhekaj.

He’ll probably come back and beat the shit out of one of them. We need a guy like that period! St Louis is an asshole and probably jealous with small man’s syndrome as far as I’m concerned.

 

[Lycanthrope]

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.

Struble is softer than butter compared to X!

 

[26Mats]

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…

I think, given the make up of our stars, Cole, Lane, Suzuki, it helps to have a Xhekaj in the lineup. I think if Hughes ever trade him, they need to bring in someone else in that role.

 

[Lycanthrope]

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....

Not to mention his pseudo philosophical rantings about “da game”.

 

[Lycanthrope]

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....

Great posts brother.

 

[Wats]

I hope you're right

In my fantasy world, we get Gravikov in the summer. He's a lefty but from what I read plays right just as well. Matheson gets traded for Pageau or another 3rd C.

Hutson - Gravikov
Guhle - Carrier
Xhekaj - Reinbacher
Struble (load management for Guhle/Reinbacher/Xhekaj)

Xhekaj with Savard seems like a bad match

 

[Trabdy2]

Xhekaj will need to play considerably better than he has lately to be able to reliably manage 3rd pairing shifts going forward. Struble has clearly been the better player as of late.

His toughness and physicality is really valuable on the blueline, so it would be amazing if we can find a way to get his floor up a bit so he can take a regular shift. I think he has it in him, but it'll take some more time and reps. Also, it wouldn't hurt for him to be paired with someone more mobile than Savard, because he isn't the most mobile himself.

I wouldn't be opposed to dressing him as the 7th dman for some of these games where his toughness might become a factor. Scratching Pezzetta and having other wingers take on his 6 minutes a night should hopefully be manageable.

 

[Lycanthrope]

That’s not Gorton, Hughes, MSL M.O… they’re skill + hockey IQ above all else types

We”ll see where that gets when they do make the playoffs and the shit hits the fan. Some of you can pretend toughness and intimidation doesn’t exist in the game anymore but you’re kidding yourselves. Also how about giving the fans who’ve been paying to see shit hockey for decades their fan favourite.

 

[Lycanthrope]

IQ and skill won't express themselves if everybody is scared.

Winner winner chicken dinner. You obviously know the game and have been watching more than a few years.

 

[DAChampion]

Winner winner chicken dinner. You obviously know the game and have been watching more than a few years.

I bet you get angry whenever it's a full moon.

 

[Lycanthrope]

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

I’m holding my breath, hope I don’t pass out waiting.

 

[Lycanthrope]

I bet you get angry whenever it's a full moon.

Oh ya I howl at the moon even more than usual