Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[morhilane]

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.

Bullies have no self-estimes, they bully to try to prove themselves they are better then others and always pick on smaller than themselves because they are actually cowards. Bringing your big brother just tell them you are an easy prey the moment your big brother can't come to save your ass.

And I'm speaking as someone who was bullied as a child and managed to get them to leave me alone without calling in my big brother.

 

[OldCraig71]

Bullies have no self-estimes, they bully to try to prove themselves they are better then others and always pick on smaller than themselves because they are actually cowards. Bringing your big brother just tell them you are an easy prey the moment your big brother can't come to save your ass.

And I'm speaking as someone who was bullied as a child and managed to get them to leave me alone without calling in my big brother.

I feel bad that you had to go through that, many of us have but let's not allow personal life experiences to dictate what is the reality of pro hockey. Teams are fighting and clawing for any form of competitive advantage out there and having toughness accompanying skill is the best way to compete. The NHL has always been this way.

Look at good ole Corey Perry, not exactly an enforcer but one of the most pestering players in the league. A large portion of his game involves getting in the head of the opposition and he was very good at it. He picks his spots but is careful who he messes with. B Tkachuk is a newer version of Perry and if he knows there is no one out there to make him accountable, he will take advantage of it. I was not suggesting that I want Arber fighting and spending his time in the penalty box but I do want him to play as close to the line as possible because it sends a message that's all.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

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.

Agenda? At my age, the only 'agenda' that I have is not to misplace my wallet.

Nothing that is discussed here is of earth shattering importance or of great consequence.

I would suggest that you lighten up a little. You will live longer.

 

[Habricot]

Yeah, liked Romanov too, and he is solid now, remember how much he struggled at the beginning, i think he struggled more than Arber defensively.

But the Arbor was struggling more then he did on his second year. I love Xhekaj and love his untapped potential but I think he is a notch below Romanov who is a notch below Ghule imo.

 

[rik schau]

No clip of the hit? no penalty on the play?

 

[Habricot]

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.

Savard is required if you want these guys (Xhekaj and Mailloux) to reach there potential. You cant build a winning culture with 5 D that have less then 100 games under there belt!!! People complain about rushing Slaf... these type of suggestions are equivalent. You can't buy experience.

 

[waitin425]

There is no need to rush Mailloux. He’s simply not ready to play effectively against NHL level competition.

I love your takes Chester, I'm just being selfish as a fan of his. Would love to just see where he is at. Particularly if he sticks with Xhekaj as those two are familiar with each other. It could be a fun little experiment for a few games.

 

[An0n]

Agenda? At my age, the only 'agenda' that I have is not to misplace my wallet.

Nothing that is discussed here is of earth shattering importance or of great consequence.

I would suggest that you lighten up a little. You will live longer.

Perhaps, in your old age, you’ve lost some of your ability to comprehend what you’re reading. Nothing in my post should lead you to tell me to lighten up as I’ve only pointed out that physicality/grit is what you always go back to.

If that disturbs you so much, I would suggest you to stop posting on forums where people can have a different opinion.

Since you feel free to suggest to others what to do with their lives, I will do so as well : I suggest you pick up sudoku and/or learning a foreign language has both have « proved » to help maintain cognitive faculties in old age.

 

[rik schau]

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

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TH]Luke Tuch[/TH]
[TH][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Height[/TD]
[TD]6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
You know something we don't?lol

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I love your takes Chester, I'm just being selfish as a fan of his. Would love to just see where he is at. Particularly if he sticks with Xhekaj as those two are familiar with each other. It could be a fun little experiment for a few games.

Thanks for your kind comments.

I’ve been following Mailloux closely since we first drafted this young man. I was intrigued by Bergevin’s decision to select Mailloux in light of all the off-ice controversy that surrounded this young player. My interest was particularly piqued by my long career as a criminal defence lawyer and having dealt with many youthful offenders and their families.

My position and assessment of this young player has been repeatedly stated here: that currently he possesses several NHL level skills: shooting, first pass capabilities and offensive vision and some aspects and attributes that still require development: defensive positioning; explosiveness/speed; in-game conditioning and on-ice strength. Mailloux's weaknesses can partially be attributed to the interruptions in his development he sustained over the last three years and others to his on-ice lack of acumen. I think with more playing time against strong opposition, he will eventually be an impact player at the NHL level.

I don't think we would be doing him ( or the team) any favour in rushing him to the NHL. In my opinion, he's simply not ready.

 

[Saku K]

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TH]Luke Tuch[/TH]
[TH][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Height[/TD]
[TD]6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
You know something we don't?lol

Lastest I've seen on Tuch

NHL.com: 6'3 209
Boston U website: 6'2 215

Most website he is at 6'2 210 and draft year was 6'2 203.

6'4 seems unlikely though.

 

[rik schau]

Lastest I've seen on Tuch

NHL.com: 6'3 209
Boston U website: 6'2 215

Most website he is at 6'2 210 and draft year was 6'2 203.

6'4 seems unlikely though.

And we all know how accurate those numbers are,right? lol

A recent photo of the Roadrunner and Cole. Yvan is listed as 5'7 and Cole as 5'8. !!!!!!!

Yvan must have grown as he aged. lol

 

[CAUFIELD]

Lastest I've seen on Tuch

NHL.com: 6'3 209
Boston U website: 6'2 215

Most website he is at 6'2 210 and draft year was 6'2 203.

6'4 seems unlikely though.

a good storyteller always exaggerates a little. but an inch more or less does not change its physical nature.

 

[LaP]

And we all know how accurate those numbers are,right? lol

A recent photo of the Roadrunner and Cole. Yvan is listed as 5'7 and Cole as 5'8. !!!!!!!

Yvan must have grown as he aged. lol

View attachment 806209

Ivan is old he's probably an inch shorter than when he was playing hockey

 

[rik schau]

Ivan is old he's probably an inch shorter than when he was playing hockey

So 5'6 and is still taller than Cole. lol

 

[Runner77]

Bullies have no self-estimes, they bully to try to prove themselves they are better then others and always pick on smaller than themselves because they are actually cowards. Bringing your big brother just tell them you are an easy prey the moment your big brother can't come to save your ass.

And I'm speaking as someone who was bullied as a child and managed to get them to leave me alone without calling in my big brother.

Bullying is not cool. So sry that happened to you. I can relate as you sometimes have to get really creative to avoid a beating but sometimes you have no choice. Glad you managed it yourself, it takes a lot out of you and not everyone is able to deal with it as you did, so kudos to you.

 

[The Real Timo]

So what the f*** happened that Xhekaj is rotting in the AHL from what it looks like end of the season at least? Despite how MSL thought his defensive game was lacking it is still better than Matheson, Harris and Barron's combined. I hate this bullshit. You have a player that is solid, and has what this team lacks the most - toughness and willingness to stand up for his teammate. MSL and his clown crew are clueless.

 

[LaP]

a good storyteller always exaggerates a little. but an inch more or less does not change its physical nature.

It always amaze me that most hockey fans think people are all exactly 6'1 and exactly 6'2.

Height is rounded. Either rounded up and down or always rounded up or always rounded down.

So a 6'0 6/10 player will be listed as 6'1 and a 6'1 4/10 player will also be listed as 6'1 but there's almost a inch of difference.

So 5'6 and is still taller than Cole. lol

Taller? I think you need to have your eyesight checked.

Caufield on the pict lean forward. The pict is also taken from slightly above which makes it very hard to evaluate height properly.

 

[Rapala]

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.

It really goes beyond just Arber Xhekaj. Our entire fourth line needs to be revamped.
Ottawa's fourth line killed us last night. They were a constant menace.
No one can convince me we can't find an ideal mix of size snark and hockey skills to upgrade our soft players.
I laugh like hell every time I see someone suggesting a lineup with small weak supposedly skilled players trying to play that role.
Thinking they will chip in with more goals and make us better.

 

[rik schau]

It always amaze me that most hockey fans think people are all exactly 6'1 and exactly 6'2.

Height is rounded. Either rounded up and down or always rounded up or always rounded down.

So a 6'0 6/10 player will be listed as 6'1 and a 6'1 4/10 player will also be listed as 6'1 but there's almost a inch of difference.


Taller? I think you need to have your eyesight checked.

Caufield on the pict lean forward. The pict is also taken from slightly above which makes it very hard to evaluate height properly.

 

[Rapala]

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

We are cowed by certain teams Florida and Ottawa in our own division.

 

[salbutera]

Lastest I've seen on Tuch

NHL.com: 6'3 209
Boston U website: 6'2 215

Most website he is at 6'2 210 and draft year was 6'2 203.

6'4 seems unlikely though.

It’s not only Tuchs physical stature, he plays mean unlike his brother but doesn’t possess nearly the same skating acumen of Alex

 

[Runner77]

It really goes beyond just Arber Xhekaj. Our entire fourth line needs to be revamped.
Ottawa's fourth line killed us last night. They were a constant menace.
No one can convince me we can't find an ideal mix of size snark and hockey skills to upgrade our soft players.
I laugh like hell every time I see someone suggesting a lineup with small weak supposedly skilled players trying to play that role.
Thinking they will chip in with more goals and make us better.

They’ve refined that goon sport over the years but it remains a goon sport as Gorton found out when he was GM of the Rags.

Never surprised by what fellow union members will do to each other, risking little more than a slap on the wrists or the loss of a few paydays (big sums but a drop in the bucket vs. yearly salaries).

 

[Runner77]

View attachment 806217View attachment 806218View attachment 806219

Did Yvan sport Elvis-type elevator in-soles in any of those pics?

 

[Beendair Donedat]

It’s the “same ole same ole” argument that some of us have been complaining about for decades now. For some reason, after they won the cup in 93, they’ve been obsessed with putting together small, soft teams with no high end skill. It’s almost like they took the blueprint of all of those successful teams from the dynasty years and went in the opposite direction.

We’ve got a team with almost no size up front (Anderson, Pezzetta, and now Slafkovsky and Dach). Even our fourth liners are small and not that skilled. No offense to Messieurs Stephens and Ylonen. Having Gallagher, Harvey-Pinard, Caufield, Newhook and Evans is redundant and unnecessary. Should only have two guys that small, and only if they are ultra skilled like Caufield/Newhook.

As blind as he was in some areas, (miserable Gallagher contract) Bergevin started to work on this and Hughes is continuing to address these issues. He’s added Slafkovsky, he’s brought in Dach, the team drafted the best defenseman in the draft last year in Reinbacher. Struble has made the jump and is playing well, while Guhle is going to be an anchor on the top pair for years. Xhekaj and Mailloux are coming up soon and they will make life miserable for others.

I’d love to see them finally focus on talented hard nosed players in the bottom six. Develop a team culture that embraces the pack mentality. I think Beck and Roy could be the foundations of an excellent/dominant third line, while adding Florian Xhekaj and Tuch to the fourth line would be ideal.

In a couple years:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Newhook - Dach - _____
Roy - Beck - Anderson
Harvey Pinard - Xhekaj - Tuch

Guhle - Reinbacher
Struble - Barron
Xhekaj - Mailloux

Montembeault

A lineup built for long playoff runs, that can play the game any way you’d like.