Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[BozoTheClown]

The team needs to somehow get rid of Evans, Pitlick, Armia and Hoffman and acquire toughness. Our division is a lot bigger , stronger and meaner than it was at the start of last year. Buffalo added Greenway, Detroit Klostin, Ottawa Sokolov, McEwen and already had Kastelic, Tampa Bay Jeannot, Boston Lucic and already had Greer and Frederic, Toronto Reaves, Domi and Bertuzzi. The only team not adding was Florida.

I think Arber and Anderson are too good to be the only one fighting 4th liners and Pezzeta is in a lower weight class that will go with players like Domi, Greer and Lomberg. As a result, I would like to add someone like Ross Johnston from the Islanders or even bringing McCarron back for the 4th line.

 

[BozoTheClown]

Arber is definitely a tough guy, but he has much more to offer on the ice than fighting. I honestly hope he focuses less on fighting and more on improving his impact on the ice.

Remember what happened to Mike Komisarek when he thought he was a tough guy? Aber is obviously a much better fighter though.

Arber looked a little silly at times against some of the bigger and better fighters.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Arber looked a little silly at times against some of the bigger and better fighters.

He didn't look silly against anyone, his inexperience showed against Deslauriers but nobody kicked his ass and the only person he fought that was bigger than him that I recall was Desharnais.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

He didn't look silly against anyone, his inexperience showed against Deslauriers but nobody kicked his ass and the only person he fought that was bigger than him that I recall was Desharnais.

There are very few players on the planet (relatively speaking) that can withstand a dust up with Deslauriers! Keeping in mind Xhekaj was a rookie, 21-22 y.o. he performed admirably, IMHO.
I was impressed by his progression as a top 6 NHL d-man this past year. Players with his skill set are becoming unicorns in todays game. Every team in the league would pay dearly for this young man’s services.

 

[Rapala]

Did he visit his co-workers at Costco while he ws there?

The team needs to somehow get rid of Evans, Pitlick, Armia and Hoffman and acquire toughness. Our division is a lot bigger , stronger and meaner than it was at the start of last year. Buffalo added Greenway, Detroit Klostin, Ottawa Sokolov, McEwen and already had Kastelic, Tampa Bay Jeannot, Boston Lucic and already had Greer and Frederic, Toronto Reaves, Domi and Bertuzzi. The only team not adding was Florida.

I think Arber and Anderson are too good to be the only one fighting 4th liners and Pezzeta is in a lower weight class that will go with players like Domi, Greer and Lomberg. As a result, I would like to add someone like Ross Johnston from the Islanders or even bringing McCarron back for the 4th line.

Another prime top 6 player a goalie and a revamped 4th line is what we need.

 

[rik schau]

He didn't look silly against anyone, his inexperience showed against Deslauriers but nobody kicked his ass and the only person he fought that was bigger than him that I recall was Desharnais.

Can't win them all anyways. Hopefully he has gotten the experience now to be more prepared and pick his spots.

 

[ottawa]

Arber looked a little silly at times against some of the bigger and better fighters.

Like who? Aside from Deslauriers as someone else mentioned

 

[1909]

Habs need to sign Austin Watson to help Xhekaj.

 

[Colezuki]

Habs need to sign Austin Watson to help Xhekaj.

Austin Watson? The guy eats punches for a paycheque Jesus no

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Austin Watson? The guy eats punches for a paycheque Jesus no

That's the point, let Watson get into those fights.

However, can't imagine Hughes does it. He's already got like 7 useless players he can't move/brought back instead

 

[GrandBison]

What's the news on his status? Cap Friendly still have him on IR

 

[DAChampion]

As a result, I would like to add someone like Ross Johnston from the Islanders or even bringing McCarron back for the 4th line.

Did McCarron ever turn into a legit NHLer?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Did McCarron ever turn into a legit NHLer?

He's got solid 4th liner written on him for the next 2 years, maybe 4.

 

[1909]

The team needs to somehow get rid of Evans, Pitlick, Armia and Hoffman and acquire toughness. Our division is a lot bigger , stronger and meaner than it was at the start of last year. Buffalo added Greenway, Detroit Klostin, Ottawa Sokolov, McEwen and already had Kastelic, Tampa Bay Jeannot, Boston Lucic and already had Greer and Frederic, Toronto Reaves, Domi and Bertuzzi. The only team not adding was Florida.

I think Arber and Anderson are too good to be the only one fighting 4th liners and Pezzeta is in a lower weight class that will go with players like Domi, Greer and Lomberg. As a result, I would like to add someone like Ross Johnston from the Islanders or even bringing McCarron back for the 4th line.

Ottawa added Imama, too, a guy I wanted in MTL. Austin Watson is still available. I'd rather have him than Armia in the line up.

 

[Wateredgarden]

Ottawa added Imama, too, a guy I wanted in MTL. Austin Watson is still available. I'd rather have him than Armia in the line up.

You wanted Imama in Montreal? He's not good enough to play in Laval.

Watson too? He's useless and turns 32 this season. Pezzeta is a younger version of what he does now.

I'd prefer to have Hoffman rather than those two.

 

[1909]

You wanted Imama in Montreal? He's not good enough to play in Laval.

Watson too? He's useless and turns 32 this season. Pezzeta is a younger version of what he does now.

I'd prefer to have Hoffman rather than those two.

We are talking about a forward #13 who would play 35-40 games a year at most. So Imama would had been more than fine.

 

[MasterD]

Arber is definitely a tough guy, but he has much more to offer on the ice than fighting. I honestly hope he focuses less on fighting and more on improving his impact on the ice.

Exactly. I like him as a player, on the ice. He's useless in the pressbox.

I'm fine with him fighting 3-4 times a year, not every 5 games. 9 fights in 51 games is way too many, and his shoulder injury proves it.

 

[Rapala]

Exactly. I like him as a player, on the ice. He's useless in the pressbox.

I'm fine with him fighting 3-4 times a year, not every 5 games. 9 fights in 51 games is way too many, and his shoulder injury proves it.

I agree He should not be the policeman. He should only come in as a finisher when necessary. 3-4 times a year seems reasonable.

 

[Captain97]

Exactly. I like him as a player, on the ice. He's useless in the pressbox.

I'm fine with him fighting 3-4 times a year, not every 5 games. 9 fights in 51 games is way too many, and his shoulder injury proves it.

Just have to hope that once he makes a name for himself he doesn't have to fight as much

 

[sampollock]

Habs need to sign Austin Watson to help Xhekaj.

he needs a deputy if he is marshal

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

With the seasons Hutson and Engstrom just had, and with the addition of Reinbacher, Xhekaj is unlikely to be in the top 4 long-term.

If that's the case, then the idea that Xhekaj should avoid fighting unless very necessary because he can develop into something more doesn't have as much weight anymore since he will be stuck on the bottom pairing.

 

[MasterD]

Just have to hope that once he makes a name for himself he doesn't have to fight as much

Nobody HAS to fight.

Xhekaj is a good enough hockey player to hang in the NHL as #4-#5 without being a regular fighter

With the seasons Hutson and Engstrom just had, and with the addition of Reinbacher, Xhekaj is unlikely to be in the top 4 long-term.

If that's the case, then the idea that Xhekaj should avoid fighting unless very necessary because he can develop into something more doesn't have as much weight anymore since he will be stuck on the bottom pairing.

Bottom pairing dman can still play 16-18 minutes a night and be a big part of their team.

Or he could be a great piece to trade to fill another need

 

[TT1]

Arber looked a little silly at times against some of the bigger and better fighters.

well to be fair he only looked outta place vs Reaves, but ya i wouldn't want him to be fighting those caliber of fighters regularly, he still needs a few years before he can do that

if we had to trade for someone i'd prefer getting Deslauriers back, that said his contract sucks (hopefully Philly can retain some $$)

 

[CAUFIELD]

well to be fair he only looked outta place vs Reaves, but ya i wouldn't want him to be fighting those caliber of fighters regularly, he still needs a few years before he can do that

if we had to trade for someone i'd prefer getting Deslauriers back, that said his contract sucks (hopefully Philly can retain some $$)

Xhekaj never fought Reaves

 

[OldCraig71]

Arber won't continue to look for fights as he did last season, he was a rookie trying to make his mark and he certainly accomplished that. Lets not forget his ability to punish opposing forwards with big hits and he is also good at getting his shot through from the point, he is more than just a fighter. He is the guy this team has been lacking since Mike Komisarek played a similar role as a young player. I think that the habs brass will want him more focused on fine-tuning his game instead of risking potential injuries from fighting.