Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj the Sheriff Returns Edition

[Halakitlikethat]

He’s still a young depth player finding his way. Lots of dramatic comments in here. Play him at forward? Lmao. Less than zero percent chance of that happening.

 

[Paddyjack]

WiFi trade value way higher

Agreed. I like Strubble, but he is Harris with muscles

 

[Miller Time]

Agreed. I like Strubble, but he is Harris with muscles

Harris with muscles is a high quality top 4 dman lol

 

[TennisMenace]

Harris with muscles is a high quality top 4 dman lol

I agree….I will take this any day…..

 

[Mrb1p]

Great game last night. Fixture. Fixture.

 

[Hannibal]

Great game last night. Fixture. Fixture.

Yes. And yet, MSL gives him limited ice time and probably out of the lineup already.

 

[Ozmodiar]

good read on the bros

https://www.tvasports.ca/2025/04/01/derriere-lascension-du-futur-tom-wilson-du-ch

This is a family we should be rooting for. Plenty of adversity overcome to get to where they are. No silver spoons, which is more the exception in the hockey world these days.

 

[TennisMenace]

I feel dirty saying this, but if AX was not such a physical presence and a much needed fighter to stick up for his teammates, I would not feel any need for him to be in our top 6 Dmen next year.

Should I go in the corner now for thinking this?

 

[Mrb1p]

I feel dirty saying this, but if AX was not such a physical presence and a much needed fighter to stick up for his teammates, I would not feel any need for him to be in our top 6 Dmen next year.

Should I go in the corner now for thinking this?

No, hes a #6. His value comes from the physicality and truculence. Its like saying you wouldnt care for Slaf if he wasnt 6'3.

 

[Tyson]

He is a 3rd pairing D that needs to improve his PK play. An un drafted player who is still learning.

 

[Captain97]

Can people explain where the Marty hates Xhekaj stuff comes from? Xhekaj has played 70 of 77 games (19 more than Struble). He is averaging 14.5 minutes per game which is normal for a bottom pairing Dman.

Management likes his development curve so much they went and got his brother. Team clearly wants him hear long term

 

[ahmedou]

 

[TennisMenace]

No, hes a #6. His value comes from the physicality and truculence. Its like saying you wouldnt care for Slaf if he wasnt 6'3.

Struble seems better and then you have some guys in Laval that should be knocking on the door very soon- Reinbacher and Mailloux to name the two obvious. If we keep #8, I’m not sure where AX can play.

 

[Mrb1p]

Struble seems better and then you have some guys in Laval that should be knocking on the door very soon- Reinbacher and Mailloux to name the two obvious. If we keep #8, I’m not sure where AX can play.

Struble hasnt shown hes better, hes just been given a better opportunity.

MM and Mailloux shouldnt be options.

 

[Archijerej]

I feel dirty saying this, but if AX was not such a physical presence and a much needed fighter to stick up for his teammates, I would not feel any need for him to be in our top 6 Dmen next year.

Should I go in the corner now for thinking this?

No, you shouldn't.

There is a strong possibility he's not going to be a fixture on our defense next season.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Was really surprised with how well he was getting pucks through on net in his rookie season when he had 5 goals in 50 games or whatever it was. Not that I was expecting him to be an offensive d-man by any means, but might have set the expectations a little high.
He’s got a cannon of a shot when he gets it off, but I feel like we haven’t seen it much at all this season

 

[CHwest]

He is a 3rd pairing D that needs to improve his PK play. An un drafted player who is still learning.

Yes he is, with Engstrom and Reinbacher knocking.

 

[Toene]

Yes he is, with Engstrom and Reinbacher knocking.

Reinbacher is knocking... back Motrin bottles at the infirmary.

He's far from ready, and we don't know if he ever will be. He's even more injury prone than Guhle.

 

[Scintillating10]

If we can get overpayment for WiFi move him. Not hard to get another physical 7th d-man. Especially left shot.

 

[CHwest]

If we can get overpayment for WiFi move him. Not hard to get another physical 7th d-man. Especially left shot.

I like him a lot and there is still lots of time for improvement, but he will have to sit occasionally.

 

[Deebs]

Struble hasnt shown hes better, hes just been given a better opportunity.

MM and Mailloux shouldnt be options.

He has, that's why he's been playing more.

Of course this doesn't mean Arber is done with us, he just needs to keep impoving his skating ability, maybe drop some pounds and continue to work his ass off.

 

[Mrb1p]

He has, that's why he's been playing more.

Of course this doesn't mean Arber is done with us, he just needs to keep impoving his skating ability, maybe drop some pounds and continue to work his ass off.

Yeah, the same reason why Mathesons been playing 30 minutes a game. Hes playing better than Hutson and Guhle.

 

[Deebs]

Yeah, the same reason why Mathesons been playing 30 minutes a game. Hes playing better than Hutson and Guhle.

It's the same reason?

Just because you can't accept Struble has been playing better as of late over Arber, doesn't mean it's not right and doesn't mean it can change in the future.

 

[Mrb1p]

It's the same reason?

Just because you can't accept Struble has been playing better as of late over Arber, doesn't mean it's not right and doesn't mean it can change in the future.

Hes been given more opportunity, more rope. Thats the only difference. Its clear MSL doesnt like Xhekaj, if you cant see it, might aswell give up sight altogether.

 

[Deebs]

Hes been given more opportunity, more rope. Thats the only difference. Its clear MSL doesnt like Xhekaj, if you cant see it, might aswell give up sight altogether.

It's ok