Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff
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Hannibal
Fear the Weber
- Feb 11, 2007
- 11,353
- 9,237
OldCraig71
Sleeveen
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 6,168
- 13,539
Yes, that dangerous hit on Matheson went unanswered. The lack of response emboldened the Senators and deflated the Canadiens.
yup. 20 year olds against real men; you can have all the motivation in the world you’ll look bad at hockey if you play scared; it’s still to this day a game of intimidation and a fight for territory.
We need Xhekaj back up.....Hell I'd even call up Mailloux with him and have them stay as partners.
Pull the trigger on moving Barron and Savard.
Matheson - Guhle
Struble - Harris
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Kova
For remainder of year.
Next year add Lane Hutson and possibly Reinbacher.
Do it now.
Pull the trigger on moving Barron and Savard.
Matheson - Guhle
Struble - Harris
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Kova
For remainder of year.
Next year add Lane Hutson and possibly Reinbacher.
Do it now.
- Jun 24, 2012
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There ought to be a forward who can step in to help teammates when needed (better than Pezzetta, maybe Tuch or Florian one day). A D is too valuable to lose for long stretches in a game unless the team plays 7 D.
If they truly want Arber to develop into a top 4, he can’t be taking so many penalties without getting negative attention from MSL. Arber is going to have to learn restraint, he’ll be walking a fine line.
OldCraig71
Sleeveen
As much as people want to believe that intimidation is not a factor in hockey it is. Pezz went out there and fought and he skated by his bench and waved his arms and I knew why as I'm sure you did. We are rebuilding and lacking the skill to keep up with most teams but if we are trying to establish a culture we should put teams on notice that we won't be easy to play against. Arber brings that and is respected by his teammates because of it.
OldCraig71
Sleeveen
I agree with you about the penalties but much of that was caused because he wasn't moving his feet as he should, probably got a little complacent, and a message was sent. He can be an influence in games without dropping the gloves though. There is no one on the roster that delivers the level of hits that he does and it puts opposing forwards on notice. We have always struggled against teams that have pushed us around because we didn't have an answer for it. I believe that a team needs a good mix of skill and violence to be successful. I may be seen as an old school dinosaur for that view but I'm fine with being an old-school dinosaur lol.
Deebs
Take my strong advice, always think twice
- Feb 5, 2014
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I think it would terribly unwise to trade both those guys this year. If there was a real favourable deal for Savard, I'd look at it and replace him with a veteran for the remainder of the year.
I also don't believe Lane nor Reinman should be in the NHL next year, they just aren't ready, especially Lane.
With respect to Arber. Whenever he's ready to come back to the big club, switch him out with Harris.
- Jun 24, 2012
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I’m not sure what place intimidation and responses to the opposition taking liberties have in MSL’s playbook. Arber’s eventual call up may be impacted by that.
I agree, your insistence on mentioning skill in that sentence is definitely old school as a Habs fan. We haven't seen much of that in ages.
Deebs
Take my strong advice, always think twice
- Feb 5, 2014
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There's nothing old school about it. Practically every Cup winner has this mix.
- Jun 24, 2012
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As much as hockey has evolved, goonery and predatory hits remain a stock in trade for some teams rostering certain types of players. I agree about having a mix of attributes, otherwise your skilled players will be left to fend for themselves and that can impact the momentum of a game and the ultimate result.
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 6,168
- 13,539
Interestingly, the usually passive Armia was one of the few Canadiens who tried to respond physically. He earned my respect for that effort.
Gaylord Q Tinkledink
Registered User
- Apr 29, 2018
- 35,661
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Trade:
Monahan
Savard
Harris/Barron/Kovacevic one of them.
Pearson
Allen/Primeau, or both.
Offseason - Tyson Barrie 3 years 5 mill per. PP specialist, right handed d and a vet. Can help Mailloux and Hutson with some offensive pointers when they get with the team, short contract, so won't anchor the Habs.
If he wants to, bring back Monahan 1 year deal around 2.
Look at Yakov Trenin. Possibly go around 6 years around 3.5. Very good depth player. Brings a wide variety of pking, physicality, toughness and with some Russian prospects trending well, another Russian on the team might help them come over and feel more comfortable
Dakota Joshua as another potential bottom 6 player. Take a risk and give him 5 years. Some stability with a long-term contract to lower the aav .
Sign Riley Tufte/Justin Brazeau. Solid AHLers with size.
Not saying sign all of them, but just something to look at. No attempted home run, or big trades, just building a solid depth while not sacrificing skill to have more toughness.
Joshua/Trenin would be a sweet add. I know many wouldn't want to commit a long-term contract to a bottom 6 player, but I feel both Joshua and Trenin are more than capable of playing up in the lineup if there's an injury. They both bring much more than physicality.
John Hayden as a signature for Laval, but capable of being a callup. He can play and he's a one tough hombre.
Monahan
Savard
Harris/Barron/Kovacevic one of them.
Pearson
Allen/Primeau, or both.
Offseason - Tyson Barrie 3 years 5 mill per. PP specialist, right handed d and a vet. Can help Mailloux and Hutson with some offensive pointers when they get with the team, short contract, so won't anchor the Habs.
If he wants to, bring back Monahan 1 year deal around 2.
Look at Yakov Trenin. Possibly go around 6 years around 3.5. Very good depth player. Brings a wide variety of pking, physicality, toughness and with some Russian prospects trending well, another Russian on the team might help them come over and feel more comfortable
Dakota Joshua as another potential bottom 6 player. Take a risk and give him 5 years. Some stability with a long-term contract to lower the aav .
Sign Riley Tufte/Justin Brazeau. Solid AHLers with size.
Not saying sign all of them, but just something to look at. No attempted home run, or big trades, just building a solid depth while not sacrificing skill to have more toughness.
Joshua/Trenin would be a sweet add. I know many wouldn't want to commit a long-term contract to a bottom 6 player, but I feel both Joshua and Trenin are more than capable of playing up in the lineup if there's an injury. They both bring much more than physicality.
John Hayden as a signature for Laval, but capable of being a callup. He can play and he's a one tough hombre.
Goons unfortunately are a necessity because of the NHL's parade of puppets/parrots placed in charge of discipline and the hypocrisy from both the owners and players union.I remember when the GM's were calling for more accountability but when the NHL tried to hand out some pretty severe suspensions both the union and ownership were crying foul.You reap what you sow.
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Deebs
Take my strong advice, always think twice
- Feb 5, 2014
- 17,644
- 14,841
Who is this Armia of late ? Seems like he's trying to get himself traded.
Deebs
Take my strong advice, always think twice
- Feb 5, 2014
- 17,644
- 14,841
100%Who is this Armia of late ? Seems like he's trying to get himself traded.
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 6,168
- 13,539
There is no need to rush Mailloux. He’s simply not ready to play effectively against NHL level competition.
- Jun 24, 2012
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The fear of getting demoted to Laval can be a powerful incentive.Who is this Armia of late ? Seems like he's trying to get himself traded.
I think his presence is needed. I don't expect him to be a goon but on occasion he needs to step in and settle other teams down.
Arber is a good hockey player and not some 4th line thug who plays 4 minutes a night.
We agree
The fear of getting demoted to Laval can be a powerful incentive.
,or traded to Winnipeg 
The is
% accurate, the game changed after that hit.
