Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[OldCraig71]

Just wait until this guy gets 3-4 years in the league, he will command big money, and deservedly so. He handled Ryan Reaves like he was 175 pounds and that dude is no pushover. I love Arber, he reminds me of Lyle Odelin, Mcphee, Skrudland and Nilan from my younger days as a Habs fan, a great teammate willing to do whatever it takes for his team. Probably the best thing to come out of Bergevin's tenure as GM.

 

[Paddyjack]

I see comments on many boards saying "he pushed Reaves in the net because he was scared and wanted to finish the fight"...

LOL and LOL. Can you imagine what it takes to actually push Reaves away from you like that, the strenght needed for this move? Wifi is so strong. And that punch he landed on Reaves when he was falling..... take that Reaves, you deserved it for all your years of BS.

 

[schwang26]

A toe to toe tilt would be very interesting. I'm shocked it didn't happen. I think there was a bit of a shove at the bluline and they looked at each other but that's it. You'd think Reeves would've definitely gone after him after his showboating. Usually guys like that want a more decisive fight. People are still finding out how strong Xhekaj is.
Side note, I cannot believe reeves didn't get at least 2 for the Guhle hit. You can't get any more behind than that.

 

[Redux91]

Just wait until this guy gets 3-4 years in the league, he will command big money, and deservedly so. He handled Ryan Reaves like he was 175 pounds and that dude is no pushover. I love Arber, he reminds me of Lyle Odelin, Mcphee, Skrudland and Nilan from my younger days as a Habs fan, a great teammate willing to do whatever it takes for his team. Probably the best thing to come out of Bergevin's tenure as GM.

This is why I want to RUSH to sign him to a 8 year x 2.5 - 3Mill Nick Paul-ish contract and RUN out of the room before anyone knows what happened lol
Plz plz plz Kent

 

[schwang26]

This is why I want to RUSH to sign him to a 8 year x 2.5 - 3Mill Nick Paul-ish contract and RUN out of the room before anyone knows what happened lol
Plz plz plz Kent

Have to be careful. You just don't know how long a very physical guy can last.

 

[jrom]

Habs are playing Boston 2x in November (should be eventful) and also the Ducks and their new UFA D.

There’s no point for Arber to fight everyone but I’m sure the entire team will want to extend their early season greetings to Gudas. Other matchup to watch for will be vs NYR, if Trouba goes head hunting sparks will fly.

 

[Redux91]

Have to be careful. You just don't know how long a very physical guy can last.

That's why, it would expire at 30 and not 35.
Re-asses then.

 

[badfish]

I posted again but he was one of 2 defensemen last year who (paced) for 20 pts and 100 PIMs. I have this sneaking feeling he is going to be higher at points this year.

 

[OldCraig71]

Habs are playing Boston 2x in November (should be eventful) and also the Ducks and their new UFA D.

There’s no point for Arber to fight everyone but I’m sure the entire team will want to extend their early season greetings to Gudas. Other matchup to watch for will be vs NYR, if Trouba goes head hunting sparks will fly.

Gudas is no match for Arber, he's just a dirty cheap shot artist who won't actually stand up when challenged. Lucic is a different story though and AX should stay away from him.

 

[Miller Time]

How did he go undrafted through two OHL drafts and two NHL drafts? Not one scout thought to take a flyer on him in the later rounds?

Pretty crazy...

Though it speaks to how tough it is to map growth & progress for athletes in their late teens.

 

[Redux91]

I posted again but he was one of 2 defensemen last year who (paced) for 20 pts and 100 PIMs. I have this sneaking feeling he is going to be higher at points this year.

As tall as Edmundson, heavier than Chiarot.
Meaner than both. Better offensively than both. Undrafted.
It's the absolute jackpot as far as bottom pairing D's go.
The fact he's top 3 heavyweight fighter in the league is icing on the cake tbh lmao.

 

[schwang26]

That's why, it would expire at 30 and not 35.
Re-asses then.

If he has to stick up for team mates like that, he'll definitely shorten his career. Don't get me wrong, I totally love it, but I'm not sure how his health will be after 5, 6 years of doing that. Luckily, guys like Reeves are somewhat of a dying breed, so Arber might not need to drop them as often. Nothing worse than losing a guy like that with a broken finger after a fight. That's why I was calling out posters for wanting Anderson to fight in the past. These days, you lose valuable players when they fight, not just goons like the old days.

 

[japhi]

Such a unicorn, these types of guys barely exist. With him and Anderson we have two guys that can go with anyone. How many teams have one guy that can beat Reeves, and another in Anderson that can go with him, and both guys are key contributors.

Very special player that will only get better.

 

[badfish]

As tall as Edmundson, heavier than Chiarot.
Meaner than both. Better offensively than both. Undrafted.
It's the absolute jackpot as far as bottom pairing D's go.
The fact he's top 3 heavyweight fighter in the league is icing on the cake tbh lmao.

Lol when you put it that way I understand why the word unicorn is thrown around !

 

[Tyson]

As tall as Edmundson, heavier than Chiarot.
Meaner than both. Better offensively than both. Undrafted.
It's the absolute jackpot as far as bottom pairing D's go.
The fact he's top 3 heavyweight fighter in the league is icing on the cake tbh lmao.

I think he has top 4 D upside.

Such a unicorn, these types of guys barely exist. With him and Anderson we have two guys that can go with anyone. How many teams have one guy that can beat Reeves, and another in Anderson that can go with him, and both guys are key contributors.

Very special player that will only get better.

Yep Anderson has had some spirited bouts against some tough players including Chara.

 

[Redux91]

I think he has top 4 D upside.

He does, that's beauty of it lol
To be able to stash this guy at LD3 for the next decade behind Guhle and Hutson eventually we're gonna be laughing lol

 

[Cournoyer12]

Just wait until this guy gets 3-4 years in the league, he will command big money, and deservedly so. He handled Ryan Reaves like he was 175 pounds and that dude is no pushover. I love Arber, he reminds me of Lyle Odelin, Mcphee, Skrudland and Nilan from my younger days as a Habs fan, a great teammate willing to do whatever it takes for his team. Probably the best thing to come out of Bergevin's tenure as GM.

Big Bouchard on Roids!!! Love that dude!

 

[EveryDay]

I believe he can become a good number 4 and produce around 25 pts per season and averaging 18-20 min per night.

I'm a fan of this guy!!

In 2 years, Matheson will probably be ship for picks or prospects and our LD will still be very strong.

Guhle
Xhekaj
Hutson/Engstrom

Norlinder
Trudeau
Konyushkov
Struble

A pairing Xhekaj-Mailloux, how does that sound?

 

[waffledave]

I see comments on many boards saying "he pushed Reaves in the net because he was scared and wanted to finish the fight"...

LOL and LOL. Can you imagine what it takes to actually push Reaves away from you like that, the strenght needed for this move? Wifi is so strong. And that punch he landed on Reaves when he was falling..... take that Reaves, you deserved it for all your years of BS.

He was about to pick him up and start ragdolling him like a dog playing with his toy. The net saved Reaves.

 

[The Great Weal]

I wonder what his contract will look like but hope it’s long term

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

I believe he can become a good number 4 and produce around 25 pts per season and averaging 18-20 min per night.

I'm a fan of this guy!!

In 2 years, Matheson will probably be ship for picks or prospects and our LD will still be very strong.

Guhle
Xhekaj
Hutson/Engstrom

Norlinder
Trudeau
Konyushkov
Struble

A pairing Xhekaj-Mailloux, how does that sound?

A pairing Xhekaj-Mailloux, how does that sound?

I like that.

 

[waffledave]

Such a unicorn, these types of guys barely exist. With him and Anderson we have two guys that can go with anyone. How many teams have one guy that can beat Reeves, and another in Anderson that can go with him, and both guys are key contributors.

Very special player that will only get better.

Anderson is not a great fighter but he is one of the strongest guys in the league from a pure strength standpoint. Nobody wants to fight him because you never know what could happen. He could break your face if he lands a good punch.

 

[EveryDay]

A pairing Xhekaj-Mailloux, how does that sound?

I like that.

Who would be willing to mess with a 6.ft4 240 pounds heavyweight fighter and another 6ft3 230 pounds nasty hitting defenceman?

Bergevin did a lot of stupid thing in MTL but these 2 moves were pretty solid if you ask me. Getting Xhekaj for nothing and drafting Mailloux at the end of the 1st round is awesome.

 

[japhi]

Anderson is not a great fighter but he is one of the strongest guys in the league from a pure strength standpoint. Nobody wants to fight him because you never know what could happen. He could break your face if he lands a good punch.

Agreed, he is pretty wild when he starts throwing and such a big guy, with great balance. Total wildcard when a fight breaks out.

 

[HespelerGreenFlash]

This is why I want to RUSH to sign him to a 8 year x 2.5 - 3Mill Nick Paul-ish contract and RUN out of the room before anyone knows what happened lol
Plz plz plz Kent

Im sorry, I know and get what you mean, but Iwant the kid to cash in . Not ruin the cap or anything like that. But I want that kid to make better than that. I just love his story and what he will and does mean to this team. He deserves so much. My favorite Hab!