Kudo Shinichi
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- Apr 20, 2012
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I said Barron+, and yes we could easily create a package using Barron that would be equivalent to Xhekaj's value.
Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff
- Thread starter Adam Michaels
- Start date
I said Barron+, and yes we could easily create a package using Barron that would be equivalent to Xhekaj's value.
JianYang
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
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I've seen him use some moves to elude forcheckers as well every once in a while. He is such an intriguing prospect to follow.
Adriatic
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- Feb 27, 2004
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You make no sense. What trade would hinge on 6th D?? If he's a 6th D as you say, then it should be pretty easy to replace with another asset no??
- Jan 18, 2022
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I'll speak for myself here: I think The Sheriff is not a very good NHL dman (as of writing...) but he is more valuable than his skillset or analytic impact on the ice. I'd have him on any roster of mine but it's a problem if he's playing top4 dman TOI. Maybe he'll continue to improve, who knows.
Remember Raphael Diaz? His analytics were relatively terrific but we all knew he wasn't as good as those numbers. The same applies to Xhekaj in the other way. We can intuitively feel his impact on the team even if it isn't reflected in his stats. How this impacts his trade value is hard to tell but I would figure if this goes on, some team will definitely like him more (as in trade-value) than a generic warm-body 6th dman.
I think he could be a secondary but desired part of a package for the acquisition of a high-end player.
River Meadow
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- Mar 29, 2016
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Xhekaj needs to be careful.
Yes he's tough but his image is more important than the actual fights. He will only fight so many people per year.
If he ever god forbid gets knocked out his image goes out the window and he will no longer be feared, and if that happens more than once, he might become a broken toy ala Komisarek.
Reaves is a tough guy, that's all he's good at and known for, plus he's older.
Xhekaj has more to lose than to win by continuing to go after someone like Reaves every time we play the Leafs.
Yes he's tough but his image is more important than the actual fights. He will only fight so many people per year.
If he ever god forbid gets knocked out his image goes out the window and he will no longer be feared, and if that happens more than once, he might become a broken toy ala Komisarek.
Reaves is a tough guy, that's all he's good at and known for, plus he's older.
Xhekaj has more to lose than to win by continuing to go after someone like Reaves every time we play the Leafs.
BLONG7
Registered User
In all honesty, Reaves is not worth the time of day for the kid...........4th line scrub, plays 7 minutes a night. The guy is entering Laraque territory.
No need for another tilt at all, unless Reaves goes pure idiot on one of the guys.
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
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Well said. Let’s hope that Xhekaj spends more time developing his ability of getting his 100 mph+ slap shot through to the net than burnishing his already feared pugilistic skills.
At least this fight was retaliation for a late hit on Guhle.
But I agree, he should not get into staged fights
CHwest
Talent sets the floor, character sets the ceiling.
- May 24, 2011
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I agree, this guy is built for the playoffs. In that sense he reminds me of Perry, just a guy to get it done.
Frankenheimer
Sir, this is an Arber
DAChampion
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- May 28, 2011
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Komisarek lost a lot of fights because he was a genuinely poor fighter. His image converged on his reality.
abo9
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- Jun 25, 2017
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Might actually be good if his image took a hit lol
Idiots might stop wanting to fight him or amp him up for a fight.
Reaves hit Guhle in the numbers, good on Xhekaj for jumping in. But I'm also afraid that guys like Reaves will use that to their advantage: Reaves wants to show he's still the top dogs, others will want to show how tough they are. Make a dangerous hit on a Habs player, get Xhekaj to instigate, means a penalty for Montreal and then them playing 5D for a bit.
Like, I dont think Xhekaj is dissuading anyone from trying punishing hits... and now everyone goon wants to fight him. Hurting his goon image could help him on the hockey stuff
JeffreyLFC
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- Sep 29, 2017
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I think Xhekaj could also play that game. Plaster Matthews, Nylander or Marner on the board and I am sure Reaves will have obligation to go after Xhekaj.
Believe it or not, other team will hate playing against the habs when X is in the team. They will know it will he painful
He lost easily to DLo last year, so his image doesn't hinge on winning/losing. Rather the idea that he is only 22 and will dispense justice when required. The goons of the league don't need to fear him, but the Corey Perry's that will get abused will keep a wider berth.
The fiercest fighters in NHL history have all lost fights. I expect Arber will lose a few.
I watched Adam Lowry take on Reaves and for my money Lowry won that fight.
waffledave
waffledave, from hf
Exactly. Lucic got his ass kicked by Erskine, so did Laraque. Nobody wins every fight.
CDN24
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- Jun 17, 2009
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The best fighter is the guy that is feared enough that he does not have to fight. Like a nuclear weapon he is a deterrent. Once you establish what you have, he does not need to fight much anymore. This is especially true for a D-man, 5 mins is okay but you better not be getting too many 2, 5 and a 10's.
We need him to emulate Chara after the trade to Ottawa from NYI. fought a bit in NY but not much.
He fought 24 times in is 1st 3 seasons in Ottawa (11-4-9) after that his rep was established and he rarely fought. He had 33 fights over the next 15 years (ottawa and Boston) avg just over 2 a season. He did have 5 in his last yr - back with Islanders.
If he could find Chara's offense that would be good too
We need him to emulate Chara after the trade to Ottawa from NYI. fought a bit in NY but not much.
He fought 24 times in is 1st 3 seasons in Ottawa (11-4-9) after that his rep was established and he rarely fought. He had 33 fights over the next 15 years (ottawa and Boston) avg just over 2 a season. He did have 5 in his last yr - back with Islanders.
If he could find Chara's offense that would be good too
abo9
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- Jun 25, 2017
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I'm not sure what that has to do with what I said?
I'm afraid Xhekaj's reputation brings him into unecessary fights and invites other goons to take liberties on our top players to force Xhekaj to fight.
Xhekaj playing a punishing style is a plus, but the goon reputation is starting to be detrimental imo. If losing a fight made him lose the target on his back, that's a plus imo.
LesCanadiens
Hardcore Curmudgeon
Trying to twist having a 22 year old, 6'4" 235lb defenseman, who can skate, shoot, hit, plays with pride for the jersey, AND can stand-up to ANY heavyweight in the league into a negative, just boggles my ever-loving mind! LOL.
bcv
My french sucks.
- Sep 18, 2010
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Him having to fight every heavyweights all the time is a negative, yes. As you pointed out, he brings a lot on the ice and him fighting alot prevents him from doing that and increases his risk of injuries.
LesCanadiens
Hardcore Curmudgeon
That's his game, dude. It's a big part of his game. It's like in the old days telling a guy like Wendel Clark to stop being Wendel Clark. Just relax and enjoy having him, IMO. I'm sure Arber will do what he thinks he should do.
JeffreyLFC
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Lucic, Chara, Neely and Bertuzzi were also able to have a pretty good career even by fighting from time to time other heavy weights
bcv
My french sucks.
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How many decades ago was that? Things change. Fighting every guy that comes up to him is definitely not a positive.
Pickles
Registered User
I don't think he'll fight every time he's challenged. Just when necessary like vs Reeves. If he starts with the staged fighting BS that's a different matter. He's there as a deterrent so other players don't take liberties with our stars. He's not just a goon either that kid has a great shot.
bcv
My french sucks.
- Sep 18, 2010
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I think he'll learn to choose his battles more appropriately as times goes on. I feel like he's fighting too much for the moment and that's what I think is a negative.
He's a valuable player without his fighting abilities and I prefer seeing him on the ice than in the box, especially when the tradeoff is him and some guy barely able to handle the puck that's sitting in the other box.
No issues with him defending teammates.
