Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[morhilane]

I can accept the narrative of helping Arber's defence as long as he isn't subsequently traded. Barron is total garbage all the time in any zone that isn't the offensive one, and God forbid you ask him to hold the blue line.

X is not going to be traded unless the Habs receive an offer you can't refuse for him.

But Barron's D performance does not open a door for Xhekaj, it opens the door for Harris to climb on the RDs depth (he's been playing better there since back from his injury).

The Habs are stacked at Ds and it's not just those in the NHL right now. If things go "as planned" Hutson, Engstrom (can play both side), Reinbacher and Mailloux will all be knocking on the NHL door in a year or two as well. And Konyushkov should be coming over in 2026 once his KHL contract is over.

We might actually see a full turnover of the defense over the next 3 seasons and Xhekaj presence will depending entirely on his play and not his fan favorite status.

 

[DAChampion]

There's nothing wrong with Xhekaj finishing the year in Laval.

 

[OldCraig71]

There's nothing wrong with Xhekaj finishing the year in Laval.

He has the mentality to respond well to this demotion and we are seeing exactly that, no sulking just being a good teammate there as he was in Montreal. Everyone knows how I felt about Bergevin but inviting AX to the Habs camp and eventually signing him was certainly one of his best moves as a GM.

He is averaging nearly a point per game but more important is the reduction in penalty minutes, he is averaging just over a minute per game in penalties there as opposed to 2.75 minutes per game in the NHL this season. I think they wanted him to focus on that aspect of his game and he has responded. A model student and a good kid, the rough diamond that Bergevin always referred to.

 

[Zilo44]

He has the mentality to respond well to this demotion and we are seeing exactly that, no sulking just being a good teammate there as he was in Montreal. Everyone knows how I felt about Bergevin but inviting AX to the Habs camp and eventually signing him was certainly one of his best moves as a GM.

He is averaging nearly a point per game but more important is the reduction in penalty minutes, he is averaging just over a minute per game in penalties there as opposed to 2.75 minutes per game in the NHL this season. I think they wanted him to focus on that aspect of his game and he has responded. A model student and a good kid, the rough diamond that Bergevin always referred to.

Wasn’t Shea Weber the diamond in the rough?

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

X is not going to be traded unless the Habs receive an offer you can't refuse for him.

But Barron's D performance does not open a door for Xhekaj, it opens the door for Harris to climb on the RDs depth (he's been playing better there since back from his injury).

The Habs are stacked at Ds and it's not just those in the NHL right now. If things go "as planned" Hutson, Engstrom (can play both side), Reinbacher and Mailloux will all be knocking on the NHL door in a year or two as well. And Konyushkov should be coming over in 2026 once his KHL contract is over.

We might actually see a full turnover of the defense over the next 3 seasons and Xhekaj presence will depending entirely on his play and not his fan favorite status.

I don't envy Hughes' task of figuring out who to keep and who to trade as there are just so many good young dmen and only six chairs.

I do know for sure that he is going to move some very good young players in the relatively near future and the stress around here will be palpable as so much of this team's future lies within these upcoming decisions. The debates over whether he moved the right players as well as the debates about the returning players/prospects/picks will likely dominate this board.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

There's nothing wrong with Xhekaj finishing the year in Laval.

If a spot doesn't open then he may stay down but I suspect that we will see Savard moved and multiple injuries so it likely isn't a scenario that sees him in Laval until the end anyways. He will definitely be the 1st call up and the odds of them not needing a call up are extremely thin. If he was right handed he would be in Montreal right now imo.

 

[Simarino]

IMO, Guhle and Xhekaj both have that leadership and swag, you need guys like that to build a winning team, it would take a huge overpayment for me to trade them

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Have you noticed, since Xhekaj plays in Laval, Laval is winning, coincidence?

 

[DAChampion]

If a spot doesn't open then he may stay down but I suspect that we will see Savard moved and multiple injuries so it likely isn't a scenario that sees him in Laval until the end anyways. He will definitely be the 1st call up and the odds of them not needing a call up are extremely thin. If he was right handed he would be in Montreal right now imo.

I may be emotionally biased by the long term value of Xhekaj dominating Laval, leading Laval to a Calder Cup run and the bromance with Mailloux. I think there's a lot of value in watering those seeds.

Injuries I think are less of an issue as they're rolling 7 D and can always trade a 6th for a replacement level player if they share my assessment above, but it is true that Savard might be traded.

Hughes will have a hard decision if the Habs' remain three or so points out of a playoff spot.

 

[Andrei79]

Have you noticed, since Xhekaj plays in Laval, Laval is winning, coincidence?

Adding a ppg player usually helps. Even moreso if he plays on defense.

 

[Habs]

you can bet after the antics in NJ with Chicago last night, a few teams are asking about Arbs availability. Good luck finding a tough player that has his ability to play D. If they trade him, I'm going out in flames, biggest ban you'll ever see.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Adding a ppg player usually helps. Even moreso if he plays on defense.

Not only his offensive, but i think he commands respect, maybe I'm wrong, but i think he's intimating to the other teams, since he's in Laval, he's like a Chris Pronger.

 

[Nashy]

Wasn’t Shea Weber the diamond in the rough?

According to Bergevin he was....11 years into his career.

 

[Heffyhoof]

X is not going to be traded unless the Habs receive an offer you can't refuse for him.

But Barron's D performance does not open a door for Xhekaj, it opens the door for Harris to climb on the RDs depth (he's been playing better there since back from his injury).

The Habs are stacked at Ds and it's not just those in the NHL right now. If things go "as planned" Hutson, Engstrom (can play both side), Reinbacher and Mailloux will all be knocking on the NHL door in a year or two as well. And Konyushkov should be coming over in 2026 once his KHL contract is over.

We might actually see a full turnover of the defense over the next 3 seasons and Xhekaj presence will depending entirely on his play and not his fan favorite status.

No it won't. He's a 6/7 d-man at worst right now (I'd say firmly 5/6) and notably better than some on our roster. If it was based on play, Barron would've been jettisoned a dozen games ago.

 

[Andrei79]

Not only his offensive, but i think he commands respect, maybe I'm wrong, but i think he's intimating to the other teams, since he's in Laval, he's like a Chris Pronger.

I know what you mean, I do. But I'd add that Pronger commanded the offense and that's what made his teams win. The size was a (huge) added bonus. He was like transplating Andrei Markovs' brain in a 6'6" body and injecting it with all kinds of drugs to boost the aggression slider to the max.

Xhekaj's potential is high. He has the size and skating to effectively shutdown anyone, the intimidation factor to get guys off their games and he's underrated offensively. Guy's a gem and that's why so many ex-players and players talk about him.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I may be emotionally biased by the long term value of Xhekaj dominating Laval, leading Laval to a Calder Cup run and the bromance with Mailloux. I think there's a lot of value in watering those seeds.

Injuries I think are less of an issue as they're rolling 7 D and can always trade a 6th for a replacement level player if they share my assessment above, but it is true that Savard might be traded.

Hughes will have a hard decision if the Habs' remain three or so points out of a playoff spot.

I agree that there is absolutely value in keeping Xhekaj in Laval if they go on a run. I suspect Hughes is more likely to reward Xhekaj for his hard work and progress by bringing him back up as I think that Laval has served it's main purpose with Xhekaj as he has focused more on playing hockey than being distracted with the WWE sideshow antics. Hughes certainly doesn't want to break him or entirely change him but he definitely took this opportunity to let him know that his game was not progressing and that he needed to alter his approach and put actual defence ahead of punishing the opponent and to pick his spots more judiciously.

Either way, I think this has been great for Arber and I am confident that he will be a better player next time he is in Montreal, whether that is this season or next.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

I know what you mean, I do. But I'd add that Pronger commanded the offense and that's what made his teams win. The size was a (huge) added bonus. He was like transplating Andrei Markovs' brain in a 6'6" body and injecting it with all kinds of drugs to boost the aggression slider to the max.

Xhekaj's potential is high. He has the size and skating to effectively shutdown anyone, the intimidation factor to get guys off their games and he's underrated offensively. Guy's a gem and that's why so many ex-players and players talk about him.

I'm sure, when teams know their next game is against the Rocket, they must say, not that Wifi guy, boy i hate him.

 

[Redux91]

At least he's not DYING down there
Thank god for that
You could even say he's thriving
Keep working hard and he'll be right back easy

They're just figuring out what to do about Harris and Struble while showcasing them

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

At least he's not DYING down there
Thank god for that
You could even say he's thriving
Keep working hard and he'll be right back easy

They're just figuring out what to do about Harris and Struble while showcasing them

They will keep Struble, but Harris, pretty sure he'll be going.

 

[Mrb1p]

you can bet after the antics in NJ with Chicago last night, a few teams are asking about Arbs availability. Good luck finding a tough player that has his ability to play D. If they trade him, I'm going out in flames, biggest ban you'll ever see.

You and I brother, guns blazing in the sunset.

 

[DAChampion]

you can bet after the antics in NJ with Chicago last night, a few teams are asking about Arbs availability. Good luck finding a tough player that has his ability to play D. If they trade him, I'm going out in flames, biggest ban you'll ever see.

If Romanov is worth Dach, then Xhekaj is worth more. I'm not sure how much more.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

You don't trade a Xhekaj.

 

[Habs]

You don't trade a Xhekaj.

We may have a young Shea Weaber sitting here, maybe a Scott Stevens. Wouldn't that be something.

 

[HuGo Sham]

as mentioned what happened to bedard last night and slaf last week, you don't move Arber.
He's been dominant in the AHL. Two crushing hits last night, a goal.
Maybe i'm reaching, but they didn't draft florian to trade Arber.
St Louis is a f***ing idiot if he doesn't see this kid's value.
I'm 100% positive teams are calling hughes about him.
I'd be shocked if they dealt him, but who knows with this franchise?
Trade savard, matheson, harris and kovacevic - these are the guys to move.
Norlindrer and maybe barron are also available lol

 

[CAUFIELD]

We finally have a tough player , that brings underrated offense , and that has the speed to and physicality to be great at defending (with more maturity).

We have a Lucic clone on defense .. and some people would trade him …