Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj the Sheriff Returns Edition

[Spearmint Rhino]

Andy and X living rent free in Wilson’s head, love it!!

Hopefully MSL understands he was an anomaly, most players can be intimidated and some team mates need the assurance of a big brother. Caps D could hear the footsteps coming and coughing up pucks, others like OV realised you have to answer the bell - he only have one hit - and our guys stepped up physically.

 

[Kojo]

He did exactly what I expected him to do, which is nothing. He messed up big time on that goal against and he was playing AHL level hockey. Nobody else can replace him but he was not looking good out there.

Thank god he didn't take a stupid penalty.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

He did exactly what I expected him to do, which is nothing. He messed up big time and he was playing AHL level hockey. Nobody else can replace him but he was not looking good out there.

Is he a great D-man? No, he’s still young and is learning

But when you listen to a veteran like Bieksa say what it means to the whole team to have IT available, how everyone feels taller and heavier and we saw it on how the hits pretty much swapped, to say he did nothing you are undervaluing what he brings to the table.

It’s like the nuclear arms race, knowing your opponent has one neutralizes you that much more.

 

[slybel]

True, we need to muster up our hits in the playoffs... 30 hits is not cutting it.

I say that and the Jets had 68 hits but lost 7-2 ....

#freexhekaj

I knew it!

 

[HabzSauce]

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone who has played competitive hockey or competitive sports know that there is more to the game and Xhekaj brings certain intangibles you can’t measure with analytics.

Everyone plays bigger and he brings confidence to the group. There is a reason Josh Anderson and many others played their most physical and best game of the season, they knew they had the Sheriff backing them up.

All the fans arguing that intimidation/toughness is overrated & Xhekaj especially wouldn't change a damn thing must be absolutely dumfounded after last night.

What a freaking game that was. Anderson was an absolute menace too. Imagine when this team has Florian....

 

[DAChampion]

This might force the Capitals to dress Dylan McIlrath next game.

 

[jaffy27]

All the fans arguing that intimidation/toughness is overrated & Xhekaj especially wouldn't change a damn thing must be absolutely dumfounded after last night.

What a freaking game that was. Anderson was an absolute menace too. Imagine when this team has Florian....

I wanted Arber in there since the get go, he definitely made a difference that will never show up on a stat sheet but man you saw it…plus all the pregame skate pleasantries that Arber was part of, getting in their heads, he’s an X factor (pun intended) and I love it!!

As long as they manage his minutes he’ll be fine.

And ya, when Florian and Luke Tuck make this team, well holy shit, they’ll be flesh to pay and we’ll be out to collect

 

[Kojo]

Xhekaj out please.

Is he a great D-man? No, he’s still young and is learning

But when you listen to a veteran like Bieksa say what it means to the whole team to have IT available, how everyone feels taller and heavier and we saw it on how the hits pretty much swapped, to say he did nothing you are undervaluing what he brings to the table.

It’s like the nuclear arms race, knowing your opponent has one neutralizes you that much more.

He's almost 25 he's not young. What is he gonna do next game? Take a stupid penalty? His win above average is very low.

(mod)

 

[DAChampion]

When Xhekaj started a couple years ago, fans were so impressed with his game that they didn't want him to fight too often.

 

[Kojo]

When Xhekaj started a couple years ago, fans were so impressed with his game that they didn't want him to fight too often.

I remember wanting him to fight all of the time. Then we saw his flaws which are astronomically numerous.

Even Komisarek was better.

 

[Hannibal]

Some here talk of him like he’s laraque level of player. He was put in a very tough situation last night and made good of it. He’s still learning and he will be a very good and important third pair dman for us.

He should always be in this lineup.

 

[Justin11]

What I liked about Arber last night was not what he did during the game, but rather what his presence did during the warmup.

 

[austin316]

Is he a great D-man? No, he’s still young and is learning

But when you listen to a veteran like Bieksa say what it means to the whole team to have IT available, how everyone feels taller and heavier and we saw it on how the hits pretty much swapped, to say he did nothing you are undervaluing what he brings to the table.

It’s like the nuclear arms race, knowing your opponent has one neutralizes you that much more.

Very well said. Some people have never played team sports and fail to understand what an asset a player like Arber is. He set the tone right from
the warmup that we were coming for them and everyone followed. Anyone who has played competitive sports knows you need players like Xhekaj in your lineup. It changes the dynamic of the team dramatically.

 

[yianik]

I was part of the Free Xhekaj crowd prior to the post season and have wanted him in. Was happy with what he brought last night.

But Arber has to be self aware at all times, he isnt good enough yet to let his instincts dictate his play. If he doesnt he could be in the box a couple times, turn the puck over in front of the net and cost us a couple goals.

Wr have a series.

 

[austin316]

Xhekaj out please.

He's almost 25 he's not young. What is he gonna do next game? Take a stupid penalty? His win above average is very low.

Am I ever glad you’re not involved in making personnel decisions with this team

 

[dauv]

Should have been in the lineup to start the series. Almost everyone knew this.

You know what I am glad he wasn't, maybe this MSL will finally realize the importance of X.

I love MSL but for the life of me I don't understand his views on X. I know he wasn't a rough and tough player but I don't think he is blind to the fact that these players make other players play bigger.

 

[dauv]

Andy's been abusing the Caps since game 1.

Anderson has been the habs best players by far in this series. I've said it forever this player was made for the playoffs

 

[dauv]

The team had 46 hits because they were jacked up playing at home, not because Xhekaj was in the lineup lmao. Ridiculous to attribute that to a single player, let alone one that didn't do anything special tonight.

Anderson was far more involved physically. If there's a player that rallied the troops in game 3, it's him, not Xhekaj.

Did you not see X during warmup. You can't honestly think that didn't allow the rest of the team to play bigger.

I agree crowd was prob a bigger factor but to say X wasn't is disingenuous.

 

[HuGo Sham]

All the fans arguing that intimidation/toughness is overrated & Xhekaj especially wouldn't change a damn thing must be absolutely dumfounded after last night.

What a freaking game that was. Anderson was an absolute menace too. Imagine when this team has Florian....

When teammates and ex- NHLers say it publicly, including Captain Suzuki, personally, I'd listen

 

[teamfirst]

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone who has played competitive hockey or competitive sports know that there is more to the game and Xhekaj brings certain intangibles you can’t measure with analytics.

Everyone plays bigger and he brings confidence to the group. There is a reason Josh Anderson and many others played their most physical and best game of the season, they knew they had the Sheriff backing them up.

Ya, i said the same thing yesterday, played a lot of hockey back in the day and those type of players where always the heart and soul of all the team i was in

 

[Kojo]

Did you not see X during warmup. You can't honestly think that didn't allow the rest of the team to play bigger.

I agree crowd was prob a bigger factor but to say X wasn't is disingenuous.

The only time I noticed Xhekaj was when he missed a shot, and that other time when he fumbled the puck and we got scored on. He was invisible otherwise.

Who cares about what he did before the game, in a warmup.

That could have backfired and still can next game.

 

[13 Black]

And ya, when Florian and Luke Tuck make this team, well holy shit, they’ll be flesh to pay and we’ll be out to collect

I have Thorpe as a darkhorse as well

He may not be as mean as Flo and Tuch but he can play physical and he's one big kid. He also has more offensive potential then those two imho. He's very raw but i think we may have something there as well.

 

[Paddyjack]

Am I ever glad you’re not involved in making personnel decisions with this team

Who knows, maybe he is MSL on this board.... Did he write somewhere in a post "but X is not going to change Wilson's game"....?

Like I said in a post somewhere in this thread, Marty completely missed the point with that comment, which surprised me coming from a former pro.

 

[Beaker]

Xhekaj is here to stay for the remainder of this series. If we somehow manage to get past Washington… we can see how his game fits against the next opponent.

 

[habsterr]

The only time I noticed Xhekaj was when he missed a shot, and that other time when he fumbled the puck and we got scored on. He was invisible otherwise.

Who cares about what he did before the game, in a warmup.

That could have backfired and still can next game.

With Xhekaj in the lineup, he strikes fear into the other team, and the boys play tougher, harder, and bigger around him.

He put out a +1, 4 hits, what more do you want from bottom-pairing defensemen?