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Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

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Has anyone in here been following Laval st all? Does anyone know if he has improved or at least settled down positionally on the defensive side of things?

I really want Arber' package on the team for obvious reasons. An enforcer that can play hockey is absolutely invaluable.

But his level of defensive play has always been suspect at best and he was far below NHL level when he was sent down.
 
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Licou said:
Has anyone in here been following Laval st all? Does anyone know if he has improved or at least settled down positionally on the defensive side of things?

I really want Arber' package on the team for obvious reasons. An enforcer that can play hockey is absolutely invaluable.

But his level of defensive play has always been suspect at best and he was far below NHL level when he was sent down.
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I know he stabilized the Laval defense.
 
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Matthew McConaughay said:
I know he stabilized the Laval defense.
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That's amazing to hear.. errr read.

Having wifi AND Struble on the backend would be massive. Opposing forwards will be constantly overthinking their zone entries and will dread going into the corners for puck retrievals.

Also, very importantly, pests will think twice before f***ing with our players.

Hopefully that all pans out!
 
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Licou said:
Has anyone in here been following Laval st all? Does anyone know if he has improved or at least settled down positionally on the defensive side of things?

I really want Arber' package on the team for obvious reasons. An enforcer that can play hockey is absolutely invaluable.

But his level of defensive play has always been suspect at best and he was far below NHL level when he was sent down.
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He has improved quite a bit actually. He still makes the occasional mistake but his outlet passes are sharp and his willingness to just skate the puck of of his zone has been impressive. On the PP he runs his unit very well.
I think continuing to play him in Laval is developing good habits and it is helping him immensely.
 
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Beendair Donedat said:
He’s not that big either, 6’0, and 170 lbs, I think you have to give him a ton of credit for hanging in there with Xhekaj. He was throwing bombs himself, although Xhekaj landed better. What started the fight? Xhekaj seemed pissed off and was throwing with mean (or meaner than usual) intentions.
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Saulnier is a physical guy, he was signed last year by Laval as a tough guy but he was sent to ECHL then traded to Belleville.

RDS broadcast had troubles showing the footage (of what they saw) but Simoneau was hit once near the boards with the puck then passed it and he was hit again near the head by Saulnier and that sent Xhekaj flying.
 
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DAChampion said:
What's Xhekaj's ceiling?
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He's huge, physical and ill tempered.

He can skate. He can skate with the puck. He can pass the puck decently. He has a decent shot.

Defensively could use work but wants to be in the NHL and is coachable and not stupid.

With what he has and what he can be if he improves he could be a no.4D with just small improvements. With bigger jumps in development ?
 
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jellybeans said:
I don't think he was sent down for punishment look at him now don't tell me he wasn't a good move he gets tons of ice time in Laval and no pressure, works on what he needs to and eventually he'll be back.
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Didn't say it wasn't a good move.......................he deserves to be back, we are too soft without him in the lineup.
Another good move would be to send a couple of our vets down, but we wont.
 
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OldCraig71 said:
20-30 points/season and possibly a number 4 defenseman that will be our "game within the game" king. I don't have a current comparable but for nostalgia's sake, he is a mix of Lyle Odelin, Alexei Emelin and Sheldon Souray.
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What about Gaston Gingras? I remember as a kid, people were scared to watch behind the net (above glass level) when there were no nets.. this guy happy gilmored every shot at spectators.. lol
 
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DAChampion said:
What's Xhekaj's ceiling?
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Ben Chiarot at his best lol

The problem was we played Ben as LD1 when he needed to be LD3, which is what Xhekaj will be and we'll be better for it

People will scoff at the Ben comparison and that's fine lol, I loved Big Ben, other than his hair-ripping ICINGS that drove us mad, he was pretty good for us
And Arber doesn't ice it, he actually can transition a bit
 
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