Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Scriptor]

Loved the Left Hand glove shot on Corey Perry. I'm sure Xhekaj was well aware of Perry's penchant for doing the same thing.

It is exactly the type of two minute penalty (when necessary) I want to see out of Arber going forward. No need to drop them to get their attention my man. Love it.

Players will get the message real quick when he can unleash a devastating blow like that unannounced.

Think Perry falling on his ass was legitimate or a wiley attempt to draw a penalty?

Hey, the world needs soft intellects like yourself just as much as we need the hardened brutes. Can't we all just get along.

Can you tell me why you need to bring up erectile disfunction when you mention intellects?

 

[yianik]

Laraque is up there as being one of the best fighter of all time. He was so dominant that he never lost a fight in something like 5 years. Lucic was afraid of him. People claiming that Laraque avoided fights are laughable. He did claim that he never enjoyed fighting but he was dominant at it and it paid him quite a bit.

Yes, and he hated the staged fight.

Think Perry falling on his ass was legitimate or a wiley attempt to draw a penalty?


Can you tell me why you need to bring up erectile disfunction when you mention intellects?

Perry falling on his ass was to draw a penalty and also to avoid having to do something against WIFI

 

[Scriptor]

Like his physical/fighting prowess, Xhekaj’s shooting penchant will soon become an instrument of intimidation. The fact that he ‘bounced’ a near 100 mph shot off a defender ( he survived) will spread around the league like wildfire. It soon will be a very brave sole that will rush him at the point. If it causes even a moment of hesitation, that is difference between getting the puck through or it being blocked. Intimidation comes in many forms.

Shot lanes open up here and there, but close quickly as well. That's why unloading the puck quickly is as important (or more) than having more than just a muffin shot (tip-of the hat to Victor Mete).

Yes, Xhekaj's shot got blocked -- nobody gets every shot through -- but one of Xhekaj's strengths, outside of being able to beat the $hit out of you and being a good skater for his size, is to be able to get the shot on net more often than not. Plusse does have a heavy shot, slapshot one-timer, or wrist shot.

Last season, Xhekaj played some 2nd PP wave minutes precisely because of that. He was one of the better Ds on the team at getting the puck to the net from the blue line, if not the best.

His D-game needs to be more refined, but he's really not just some meat head without skills.

 

[Rapala]

I'm open to trading anybody if it's for the betterment of the team, but if we're trading Guhle, there better be one heck of a player coming back. I can't see it happening but nothing is guaranteed.

If we are to get a superstar up front I could see them trading Lane Hutson to do it long before we move Ghule. With Engstrom and Struble in the wings I'd have no problem using that bait. Now cue the bleaters...

 

[Team_Spirit]

Classic Perry

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Shot lanes open up here and there, but close quickly as well. That's why unloading the puck quickly is as important (or more) than having more than just a muffin shot (tip-of the hat to Victor Mete).

Yes, Xhekaj's shot got blocked -- nobody gets every shot through -- but one of Xhekaj's strengths, outside of being able to beat the $hit out of you and being a good skater for his size, is to be able to get the shot on net more often than not. Plusse does have a heavy shot, slapshot one-timer, or wrist shot.

Last season, Xhekaj played some 2nd PP wave minutes precisely because of that. He was one of the better Ds on the team at getting the puck to the net from the blue line, if not the best.

His D-game needs to be more refined, but he's really not just some meat head without skills.

Funny but that almost sounds like Happy Gilmore

 

[rickthegoon]

Just for giggles... 8×8 for Guhle or 8×3 for the Sheriff?

With our LHD depth and futur cap implications, I wouldn't be surprise to see Hugo dangling Guhle as the primary piece for a superstar forward.just like Romanov was before his new contract.

As much as I love Ghule, I would wait before offering that kind of money. The kid is often injured and/or not protecting himself right along the boards.
He needs to adjust that part of his game if he aims to be a #1 D playing 23+ minutes a game like he has 100% potential to become.
I would not hesitate paying Xhekaj 3m x 3 years when his entry contract expires; in fact every other team in the league would gladly give him that money.

 

[Tyson]

As much as I love Ghule, I would wait before offering that kind of money. The kid is often injured and/or not protecting himself right along the boards.
He needs to adjust that part of his game if he aims to be a #1 D playing 23+ minutes a game like he has 100% potential to become.
I would not hesitate paying Xhekaj 3m x 3 years when his entry contract expires; in fact every other team in the league would gladly give him that money.

Guhle has huge upside but I want to see more to make sure.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Classic Perry

The best part was when they were skating to the box and the camera clearly picks up Xhekaj saying “don’t f*** with me” to Perry. Hahahaha

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Classic Perry

He has a tough demeanor. He was staring at Perry in the penalty box too - I was thinking damn just let it go Arber it's not that big a deal

I don't even think Perry was trying to draw a penalty with his dives he was just trolling big time

 

[CheldishGamibno]

Classic Perry

I don't care, I will always love Perry.

 

[MasterD]

I don't care, I will always love Perry.

I'd take him back any day, twice on Sundays.

As much as I love Ghule, I would wait before offering that kind of money. The kid is often injured and/or not protecting himself right along the boards.
He needs to adjust that part of his game if he aims to be a #1 D playing 23+ minutes a game like he has 100% potential to become.
I would not hesitate paying Xhekaj 3m x 3 years when his entry contract expires; in fact every other team in the league would gladly give him that money.

For sure, 3M$ for what Xhekaj brings is cheap. As a UfA he'd easily get 4.5+

 

[twoaliens]

Would you guys trade him for Askarov ? Future is bright but I think we need an elite golie. If not Askarov, wich goalie would you trade Xhekaj for ?

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Would you guys trade him for Askarov ? Future is bright but I think we need an elite golie. If not Askarov, wich goalie would you trade Xhekaj for ?

No way.

 

[jrom]

Would you guys trade him for Askarov ? Future is bright but I think we need an elite golie. If not Askarov, wich goalie would you trade Xhekaj for ?

The entire locker room would be really pissed off if they traded Arber away. How can you sell to them that trading away one of the top 5 tough guy in the league (at 22) will help you in the playoffs ? He's part of the core (as a 6th D).

 

[twoaliens]

The entire locker room would be really pissed off if they traded Arber away. How can you sell to them that trading away one of the top 5 tough guy in the league (at 22) will help you in the playoffs ? He's part of the core (as a 6th D).

I know, that's what is tough to evaluate with Xhekaj his value on the market and on the team is probably pretty high, but he's a 6th D on a good team. If you could acquire a #1 Goalie by trading him, I think you have to do it.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

I know, that's what is tough to evaluate with Xhekaj his value on the market and on the team is probably pretty high, but he's a 6th D on a good team. If you could acquire a #1 Goalie by trading him, I think you have to do it.

You use another asset, or combination of assets. You don’t trade Xhekaj. Period. He’s a one of a kind mixture of player, he’s incredibly popular, he’s worked his ass off to be here, and his trajectory just keeps rising. I feel he will be in our top 3 defenders and wear an “A” down the road.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I know, that's what is tough to evaluate with Xhekaj his value on the market and on the team is probably pretty high, but he's a 6th D on a good team. If you could acquire a #1 Goalie by trading him, I think you have to do it.

You are grossly underestimating Xhekaj as he is an above average skater with above average hands and a great shot. He absolutely has the upside to be a top 2-4 dman on a contending team. As he learns his position even more he will quite possibly become a dominant defender with plus offensive skills along with being one of the most feared players in the league. He quite literally has Shea Weber upside and if he can stay healthy I think he will be much closer to that than a #6 dman.

Guhle, Reinbacher and Xhekaj are imo our 3 most important D prospects as they are developed enough that their floors are already high. Mailloux is not too far off but he still has a lot to learn. Hutson is a wild card for me as I love his offensive talent but I trade him in a heartbeat for a young, talented forward with size. I am a big fan of Engstrom and Struble as well as Konyushkov who looks promising. I love Harris' game and leadership but I am not sure where he will fit and Barron can still get there as well as he is still relatively young.

If we ever trade Xhekaj due to a logjam of young D the return would have to be huge. I personally don't think Hughes would even consider it unless it was a massive overpayment as he is big on culture and drafting Florian was a nod to his commitment and confidence in Arber imo.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

You use another asset, or combination of assets. You don’t trade Xhekaj. Period. He’s a one of a kind mixture of player, he’s incredibly popular, he’s worked his ass off to be here, and his trajectory just keeps rising. I feel he will be in our top 3 defenders and wear an “A” down the road.

With Xhekaj’s rather unique set of skills, his growing leadership role and his enormous popularity, he could become one of the faces of the franchise. You don’t trade one of the faces of your franchise.

 

[admiralcadillac]

You are grossly underestimating Xhekaj as he is an above average skater with above average hands and a great shot. He absolutely has the upside to be a top 2-4 dman on a contending team. As he learns his position even more he will quite possibly become a dominant defender with plus offensive skills along with being one of the most feared players in the league. He quite literally has Shea Weber upside and if he can stay healthy I think he will be much closer to that than a #6 dman.

He will not in my opinion be a no.2 dman on a contending team. I really hope he can maintain good enough play to merit a top 4 role though.

 

[twoaliens]

You are grossly underestimating Xhekaj as he is an above average skater with above average hands and a great shot. He absolutely has the upside to be a top 2-4 dman on a contending team. As he learns his position even more he will quite possibly become a dominant defender with plus offensive skills along with being one of the most feared players in the league. He quite literally has Shea Weber upside and if he can stay healthy I think he will be much closer to that than a #6 dman.

Is he ?

Shea Weber ? I think he might also be someone like Erik Gudbranson. Wich is fine Gudbranson is a very capable Defensemen, he's tough, he can fight. I think we are overestimating Xhekaj (and understimating someone like Harris) because he might be the toughest player in the NHL. I would rather have him on the team then trade him but what I am wondering is what his value around the league is ? Could we trade him for a #1 Goaltender. Someone who is already established or a prospect like Askarov.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

He will not in my opinion be a no.2 dman on a contending team. I really hope he can maintain good enough play to merit a top 4 role though.

I am not saying that this is at all likely but you can not rule it out either as he shares too many similarities with Weber. He is a virtual lock to be at least a #4 on a contending team imo as he will be a playoff monster and will get the big minutes in big games.

Is he ?

Shea Weber ? I think he might also be someone like Erik Gudbranson. Wich is fine Gudbranson is a very capable Defensemen, he's tough, he can fight. I think we are overestimating Xhekaj (and understimating someone like Harris) because he might be the toughest player in the NHL. I would rather have him on the team then trade him but what I am wondering is what his value around the league is ? Could we trade him for a #1 Goaltender. Someone who is already established or a prospect like Askarov.

He has much better hands than Gudbranson and he has better offensive instincts as well. I would argue that he is already at or better than Gudbranson's level right now.

Trading him for Askarov would be awful asset management as the goalie market is always a buyers market due to the limited spots available. Askarov has a real risk of busting as every young goalie has and his value is not comparable to Xhekaj's on the open market. Nashville has been shopping him and have not been offered enough to move him. I guarantee you team's would be lining up to acquire Xhekaj and would happily pay a big price to do so.

 

[26Mats]

With Xhekaj’s rather unique set of skills, his growing leadership role and his enormous popularity, he could become one of the faces of the franchise. You don’t trade one of the faces of your franchise.

I wouldn't want to trade any of Guhle, Xhekaj, Reinbacher, Mailloux, and Hutson. But that's 5 dmen. We may not even be able to keep all 5 when there are the upcoming expansion drafts.

At any rate, my trade bait for Askarov are Barron, Engstrom, Bogdan, Trudeau, Harris, Struble, and Norlinder. Not sure if a package of some of them is what Nashiville is looking for.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

You use another asset, or combination of assets. You don’t trade Xhekaj. Period. He’s a one of a kind mixture of player, he’s incredibly popular, he’s worked his ass off to be here, and his trajectory just keeps rising. I feel he will be in our top 3 defenders and wear an “A” down the road.

Yea these talks about trading x asset or nothing for a player don't make sense if that asset is a value that can be replicated with something else. Whatever we could get in a trade by giving up Xhekaj, we could very well still get it by trading Barron+. Trading Barron instead of Xhekaj makes way more sense for the habs.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Yea these talks about trading x asset or nothing for a player don't make sense if that asset is a value that can be replicated with something else. Whatever we could get in a trade by giving up Xhekaj, we could very well still get it by trading Barron+. Trading Barron instead of Xhekaj makes way more sense for the habs.

I don't want to trade Xhekaj and don't think we should trade him but there is no way that Barron nets you the same return as Xhekaj......not even close.