jellybeans
Registered User
- Nov 9, 2007
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Exactly what i've been saying leave him in Laval he's doing good.
Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff
- Thread starter Adam Michaels
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- Jun 24, 2012
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Given how Xhekaj is being handled since his call up, he’d be better off playing first pairing minutes in Laval. Let him work on the mental aspects of his game in a more forgiving environment.
Ezpz
No mad pls
- Apr 16, 2013
- 15,519
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I suspect they want to test Barron since Xhekaj was essentially carrying Laval into the playoffs. They've been not quite the same without him and Barron has been a non factor. I think they're testing who is going to be traded.
le_sean
Registered User
- Oct 21, 2006
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Also, apart from the fighting, what does Xhekaj do better than Guhle or Struble? So if someone is really offering you the value of a 1st rounder for someone you project is going to be on your bottom pairing, you kind of have to take it. I suspect Barron doesn’t return nearly as much.
Lafleurs Guy
Guuuuuuuy!
- Jul 20, 2007
- 81,145
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I have zero issues with trading him but I’d be more than happy to keep Wifi.
Him being in the doghouse right now doesn’t really change anything (unless there’s something we don’t know about) as he’s a developing player and this is just a normal course of maturiing as a player.
Him being in the doghouse right now doesn’t really change anything (unless there’s something we don’t know about) as he’s a developing player and this is just a normal course of maturiing as a player.
KevSkillz4
Registered User
- Apr 11, 2016
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If Habs can have a great value like they did with Romanov (I think Xhekaj is a better D than Romanov). That will be really good for the future. I love Xhekaj, but Habs have a bunch of a good LD and if they can have great value on Xhekaj, why not?
The Real Timo
Registered User
- Jun 18, 2019
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In
In comparison Matheson is -15 yet you don't hear st louis pissing and moaning about his defensive play. And I don't tive a f*** about his offensive potential. For every nice offensive play he makes he f***s up 10 defensive plays. The double standard is puke inducing .
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
Do people honestly think wanting him to not take lazy and careless STICK penalties - is neutering the guy?
Be honest with yourselves.. if your boss said "I'm sending you to this project to work on your organizational and time management skills and when that project is done, you'll come back to this project" and you do that on the other project, then the minute you come back to the other project, you begin showing organizational and time management errors right away - that your boss would just let you do so without consequences?
Seriously, people are advocating that after 3 penalties in 3 periods, none of which were for being physical, or tough, or standing up for a team mate, or enforcing.. 3 PENALTIES in 3 PERIODS for stick infractions and just bad decision making.. should warrant more ice time?
Come on guys, be honest and realize you are being biased here. I don't wanna hear about another player taking a bad penalty, it isn't about ONE bad penalty - it is about 3 penalties in 3 periods after being demoted for being indisciplined.
Be honest with yourselves.. if your boss said "I'm sending you to this project to work on your organizational and time management skills and when that project is done, you'll come back to this project" and you do that on the other project, then the minute you come back to the other project, you begin showing organizational and time management errors right away - that your boss would just let you do so without consequences?
Seriously, people are advocating that after 3 penalties in 3 periods, none of which were for being physical, or tough, or standing up for a team mate, or enforcing.. 3 PENALTIES in 3 PERIODS for stick infractions and just bad decision making.. should warrant more ice time?
Come on guys, be honest and realize you are being biased here. I don't wanna hear about another player taking a bad penalty, it isn't about ONE bad penalty - it is about 3 penalties in 3 periods after being demoted for being indisciplined.
Lafleurs Guy
Guuuuuuuy!
- Jul 20, 2007
- 81,145
- 54,074
Do you really not get the difference?
Matheson is being used as canon fodder against top lines. He’s fully developed, not part of our future plans and will likely be traded this year or next. His problems stem from a lack of defensive talent. MSL can’t do much to change this in a 29 year old. He’s a finished product and his bone headed defensive plays will continue regardless.
MSL didn’t bench Wifi for a defensive mistake. Wifi took three stupid penalties after coming back from the AHL. MSL is showing his young player that this isn’t acceptable. It’s a teachable moment.
It’s apples and oranges. This should be easy for you to see - unless of course you don’t want to see it.
jellybeans
Registered User
- Nov 9, 2007
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I disagree take the sheriff part out of his game and he's not in the NHL i also like him for what he brings to the team with his fists but if we can get a good young player for him they have to trade him.
1909
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- Jul 6, 2016
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Habs
Jake Evans will steal your wife
- Feb 28, 2002
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Canadienna
Registered User
- Jan 27, 2015
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Habs management don't like tough players.
Matthew McConaughay
Registered User
- May 3, 2013
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If they ever trade him to the Flyers, he and Michkov, will haunt us for years to come.
I think management sees great potential in The Sheriff and Barron. The two of them have top 4 potential. They are trying to balance developing both. Both have defensive flaws. They don't have enough players to send both to Laval, so here we are. IMHO.
People are over-thinking this. Xhekaj is a developing young player. He will benefit from time in Laval as well as time with the Habs. People seem to be expecting a finished product.
What Xhekaj needs to do is play his game and don't force hits or fights. Let the game come to him. Play with controlled aggression. I think that's all MSL wants him to do. Xhekaj has been trying to do too much (in the NHL) and that is hurting his play.
What Xhekaj needs to do is play his game and don't force hits or fights. Let the game come to him. Play with controlled aggression. I think that's all MSL wants him to do. Xhekaj has been trying to do too much (in the NHL) and that is hurting his play.
Canadienna
Registered User
- Jan 27, 2015
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I hope you're not right.
I could see how a guy like Marty might not relate to or be able to appreciate a physical defenceman.
I don't know how anyone could watch the last decade of playoffs and think toughness doesn't matter.
CristianoRonaldo
Registered User
He needs to learn rispekt, hopefully, MSL will teach him. 
Canadienna
Registered User
- Jan 27, 2015
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I genuinely don't know if you're referring to MSL or Xhekaj here, but I disagree regardless.
Matthew McConaughay
Registered User
- May 3, 2013
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Some of you have seriously lost the plot. I get it, I love the player, but lets think about the context....
An undrafted player everyone passed on that was signed by MTL and then given a chance on a brutal d core. Is he going to demand a trade??... well I sure as shit hope not, he is your fave player because MB signed him and MSL gave him a shot. He might still be at Costco, or more likely the ECHL if not for the Habs. You may not get that, I am 100% sure he does. He looked like an ECHL player last 2 games, whose fault is that?
I f***ing love the guy, think he could be a force, as a shut down, physical dman. I would bet a lot of money he gets there. Couldn't care less if he fights, don't need him to get a brain injury for me, I want an 18 min a nights, 3rd pair physical nightmare and I don't think a few nights in the press box will hold him back from being a bottom pair dman.
Smarten up fellas. this is going to work out.
An undrafted player everyone passed on that was signed by MTL and then given a chance on a brutal d core. Is he going to demand a trade??... well I sure as shit hope not, he is your fave player because MB signed him and MSL gave him a shot. He might still be at Costco, or more likely the ECHL if not for the Habs. You may not get that, I am 100% sure he does. He looked like an ECHL player last 2 games, whose fault is that?
I f***ing love the guy, think he could be a force, as a shut down, physical dman. I would bet a lot of money he gets there. Couldn't care less if he fights, don't need him to get a brain injury for me, I want an 18 min a nights, 3rd pair physical nightmare and I don't think a few nights in the press box will hold him back from being a bottom pair dman.
Smarten up fellas. this is going to work out.
I do too, but that sport doesn't exist anymore. What you were watching in that clip was an old horse being put down in the infield.
Beendair Donedat
You sold a dead bird to a blind kid????
It’s because the Habs don’t know how to develop prospects. At all. Somewhere along the way - not long after Serge Savard left the helm - the Habs suddenly forgot how to develop young players.
Before there was always a system. Christ, Larry Robinson played a couple of seasons on the farm before he got promoted. Before, players were groomed to be professionals, then were brought along slowly. System were learned on the farm that transferred to the big club.
Now, it’s a free for all, and the young players get the John Wayne in “Hondo” treatment to sink or swim.
Which basically means that the young players that succeed in Montreal, are the exception rather than the rule, and they’re succeeding IN SPITE of the system, not because of it…. Xhekaj is a one in a million, he’s beaten the odds to make it at every level, undrafted, and will be an NHL player, and a dominant one at that (*in my opinion). But while I understand MSL wants him to stop taking penalties (which he’s absolutely got to do), Xhekaj also needs to get some positive feedback and reinforcement from the coach as well. Xhekaj can’t be the whipping boy for everyone. It will only stunt his growth and prevent him from reaching his terrific potential.
Just my $0.02
