Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[OldCraig71]

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.

If some forward cheap shots a defenceman and puts him out for a month then we will see. Teams know they don't have to worry without Arber out there hence the liberties. If MSL wants this team to grow he will need to accept this logic.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

The is % accurate, the game changed after that hit.

Yes, there was a lot of smiling on the Senators’ bench. It was a picnic for Ottawa.

That has to change.

 

[Tyson]

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.

Mailloux has adjusted to pro hockey and is making promising strides, leave him in Laval. There is absolutely no reason to rush him.
Later in the season I would be ok with a 2 game call up so that he can understand what he is facing to make the jump. Other than that, keep him in Laval

 

[OldCraig71]

Interestingly, the usually passive Armia was one of the few Canadiens who tried to respond physically. He earned my respect for that effort.

But with all due respect sir, he only responded marginally because he took a bit of a mauling. I would have jumped to my feet right there and given the Sens player a Bauer glove right in the chops. He is the definition of what you don't need from a 6 foot 3 big man. That dude could be in high demand in the league if he played with a bit more courage.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Mailloux has adjusted to pro hockey and is making promising strides, leave him in Laval. There is absolutely no reason to rush him.
Later in the season I would be ok with a 2 game call up so that he can understand what he is facing to make the jump. Other than that, keep him in Laval

A measured response following an embarrassing game.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

But with all due respect sir, he only responded marginally because he took a bit of a mauling. I would have jumped to my feet right there and given the Sens player a Bauer glove right in the chops. He is the definition of what you don't need from a 6 foot 3 big man. That dude could be in high demand in the league if he played with a bit more courage.

My life experiences have shown that courage and good judgment are attributes that are in short supply.

Whatever Armia did, however tepid, was materially more than most of his teammates.

After the Matheson hit, last night was one of our worse games. The compete level was worrisomely missing. It was an embarrassing performance.

 

[schwang26]

Mailloux has adjusted to pro hockey and is making promising strides, leave him in Laval. There is absolutely no reason to rush him.
Later in the season I would be ok with a 2 game call up so that he can understand what he is facing to make the jump. Other than that, keep him in Laval

Exactly. People think it’s bad now and they want to add another rookie??

 

[morhilane]

If some forward cheap shots a defenceman and puts him out for a month then we will see. Teams know they don't have to worry without Arber out there hence the liberties. If MSL wants this team to grow he will need to accept this logic.

This is pure BS, Ottawa literally recalled more goons to their line-up when Arber was playing for the Habs, which means even more cheap-shots to the rest of the line-up, not less.

 

[Runner77]

This is pure BS, Ottawa literally recalled more goons to their line-up when Arber was playing for the Habs, which means even more cheap-shots to the rest of the line-up, not less.

While the Habs have no control over the meatheads that the Sens choose to call up, the Habs do roster a mostly soft, undersized contingent lacking physicality.

@OldCraig71 did make the point that there needs to be a better mix between skill and physicality.

 

[Scriptor]

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.

Hutson will play in the NHL this year at the end of the season, much like Farrell did when he got a taste of the NHL after his NCAA season was over.

It's part of burning an ELC year for the kid in order to get him to sign his ELC. It will give Hutson a taste of what the NHL is, at a time where teams' systems are at their peak and offers the Habs a chance to evaluate Hutson at the highest level.

Like Farrell, again, it doesn't mean that Hutson shouldn't start next season in Laval, nor that he won't.

Reinbacher appears to be in a mess of a situation with his team in Klöten. Earlier, I would have thought he might have been called to North America to play in Laval, instead, for his development's sake but he has stayed put so far. It's still unclear what might happen with this prospect by the trade deadline, or at the end of his season in the Swiss League.

Reinbacher could also get a short-term taste of the NHL at the end of this season and play in Laval next year, rather than in Montreal right away.

Much will have to do with Reinbacher's play at training camp next.year, but whether Savard, Barron or Kovacevic get traded at the deadline will impact whether Reinbacher gets early nod to play in the NHL as well.

Ideally, Reinbacher would start the year in Laval to get used to playing full time on North American sized ice.

If not he should be eased in and not thrown into a 1st pairing role from the get-go.

 

[morhilane]

While the Habs have no control over the meatheads that the Sens choose to roster, they do roster a mostly soft, undersized contingent lacking physicality.

@OldCraig71 did make the point that there needs to be a better mix between skill and physicality.

They barely have any skill as is and adding an Enforcer isn't how you resolve that problem, you want your skill players to learn to handle the physicality they receive and not get intimidated by it.

 

[Tyson]

This is pure BS, Ottawa literally recalled more goons to their line-up when Arber was playing for the Habs, which means even more cheap-shots to the rest of the line-up, not less.

So the Habs should turtle then? Can't play scared

 

[Runner77]

They barely have any skill as is and adding an Enforcer isn't how you resolve that problem, you want your skill players to learn to handle the physicality they receive and not get intimidated by it.

No one said anything about adding an enforcer, which by definition, is a purely one dimensional player that MSL would mostly end up sitting. We’re not advocating a return to the 70s, just a better asset mix and to be an asset, a player must own a modicum of skill.

 

[An0n]

My life experiences have shown that courage and good judgment are attributes that are in short supply.

Whatever Armia did, however tepid, was materially more than most of his teammates.

After the Matheson hit, last night was one of our worse games. The compete level was worrisomely missing. It was an embarrassing performance.

It was already one of the worst game before the hit, it just helps your narrative.

3rd game in 4 days on the backend of a back to back against a team that the Habs never play well against. The hit changed nothing but your ability to (once again) bring your agenda to the table.

 

[morhilane]

So the Habs should turtle then? Can't play scared

See my previous post.

But to complete what I wrote there: Arber is a psychological crutch if you think the team play less scared when he is on the line-up. If they are scared of playing physical when he's not around, it's a sport psychologist they should visit.

You want each players to man up for themselves, not get babysitted.

No one said anything about adding an enforcer, which by definition, is a purely one dimensional player that MSL would mostly end up sitting. We’re not advocating a return to the 70s, just a better asset mix and to be an asset, a player must own a modicum of skill.

@OldCraig71 was advocating for Arber the Enforcer with: "Teams know they don't have to worry without Arber out there hence the liberties."

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

No one said anything about adding an enforcer, which by definition, is a purely one dimensional player that MSL would mostly end up sitting. We’re not advocating a return to the 70s, just a better asset mix and to be an asset, a player must own a modicum of skill.

Wow, you have a high esteem of Xhekaj, Xhekaj is a hockey player that can fight and not the opposite.

 

[larek]

Obviously this team is soft small
When a team wants to play with a little physical play which is very rare in NHL now a days Habs play scared
You have to have a few bigger tougher players to balance the other types.why jackeye is in the minors is one of life's mysteries

 

[Tyson]

See my previous post.

But to complete what I wrote there: Arber is a psychological crutch if you think the team play less scared when he is on the line-up. If they are scared of playing physical when he's not around, it's a sport psychologist they should visit.

You want each players to man up for themselves, not get babysitted.


@OldCraig71 was advocating for Arber the Enforcer with: "Teams know they don't have to worry without Arber out there hence the liberties."

If that is the case then why have teams historically always had tough guys in their line up, even guys who couldn't be trusted to take a regular shift? A level of assurance on the bench is a good thing.
Another good thing is Arber Xhekaj got signed to an entry level contract because he could actually play hockey, the toughness is an additional benefit.

Obviously this team is soft small
When a team wants to play with a little physical play which is very rare in NHL now a days Habs play scared
You have to have a few bigger tougher players to balance the other types

Common sense point of view...pass it on!

 

[OldCraig71]

My life experiences have shown that courage and good judgment are attributes that are in short supply.

Whatever Armia did, however tepid, was materially more than most of his teammates.

After the Matheson hit, last night was one of our worse games. The compete level was worrisomely missing. It was an embarrassing performance.

I think he should have chosen violence but oh well. We can agree to disagree as well.

 

[Runner77]

@OldCraig71 was advocating for Arber the Enforcer with: "Teams know they don't have to worry without Arber out there hence the liberties."

Arber is a skilled player who plays physical and who is being honed into a top 4 role.

He would not be able to survive as a regular for MSL if he were merely an enforcer even if clearly, he does possess the ability to intervene on behalf of a teammate who is the recipient of a predatory hit.

I would prefer to see the team keep adding skill with an eye to optimizing their asset mix so that they don’t roster so many undersized, soft forwards who can’t or won’t fend for themselves.

 

[OldCraig71]

This is pure BS, Ottawa literally recalled more goons to their line-up when Arber was playing for the Habs, which means even more cheap-shots to the rest of the line-up, not less.

I love that they did that. It proves my point.

 

[OldCraig71]

See my previous post.

But to complete what I wrote there: Arber is a psychological crutch if you think the team play less scared when he is on the line-up. If they are scared of playing physical when he's not around, it's a sport psychologist they should visit.

You want each players to man up for themselves, not get babysitted.


@OldCraig71 was advocating for Arber the Enforcer with: "Teams know they don't have to worry without Arber out there hence the liberties."

No not at all. It's more like a situation where a little kid gets picked on by a bully so he brings his big brother along as a security blanket. He doesn't have to fight but the possibility is there and that makes a Tkachuk think twice before running around and being a fake tough guy.

 

[CAUFIELD]

We will be in good hands on the physical part in 2 years …

Ghule should bulk up in the next few years.. still young and has a nice physical tools

Struble already strong and physical

Arber Xhekaj … no need to say more . Imagine if Florian also makes it… wolf pack effect.

Tuch can also make it on the bottom6. Physical 6f4 player .

Logan Mailloux… I think he definitely has the aggressiveness part in his game.

We still have a rocket donkey in Josh Anderson for 3 years after this one and Pezzeta is also still signed .

Slafkovsky built like a tank

Well be alright

 

[Natey]

Getting compared to Barron.

He got compared to Barron offensively... which he's clearly good at.

 

[dcyhabs]

They barely have any skill as is and adding an Enforcer isn't how you resolve that problem, you want your skill players to learn to handle the physicality they receive and not get intimidated by it.

They don't have many physical guys to add, either. Xhekaj, sure, but who else?