Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[1909]

If it should be about hockey what does it make Harris? or Barron? or Gallagher?

He played hockey just ok. What he could use is more attention by coaches to his game than to his penalties. Like Matheson doesn't take idiotic penalties almost every game? Xhekaj brings something that this team hasn't had in a long time... and that is opposition being a bit more tame. He will not win every fight... but people are excited this is not as much of a creampuff team as it usually is.

Ottawa rolled over the Habs last game at the Bell. He was in Laval for 17 games. Habs did not need him much in that span either. And in his first two seasons, he has shown that he could be fragile. A season-ending injury last season, and another one requiring many games this season. He is no superman.

 

[The Real Timo]

Ottawa rolled over the Habs last game at the Bell. He was in Laval for 17 games. Habs did not need him much in that span either. And in his first two seasons, he has shown that he could be fragile. A season-ending injury last season, and another one requiring many games this season. He is no superman.

Nope. He is a player that, when not neutered, I am excited to see in the lineup. God knows there is very little to be excited about when watching this team. The entertainment value is usually close to zero if not negative.

 

[1909]

Nope. He is a player that, when not neutered, I am excited to see in the lineup. God knows there is very little to be excited about when watching this team. The entertainment value is usually close to zero if not negative.

If Xhekaj is the only player that can excite you on this team, you may start to watch more exciting teams. There are many others in the NHL. Or boxing or MMA ???

The fans going at the Bell and paying the big bucks seem to be entairtained most of the time, and are still filling the building. Id Xhekaj can improve his defensive play and cut down on lazy, useless penalties, he could become the entertainer you are dreaming about. And above all, for the GOOD of the TEAM. For the moment, he has limited impact.

 

[Runner77]

Nope. He is a player that, when not neutered, I am excited to see in the lineup. God knows there is very little to be excited about when watching this team. The entertainment value is usually close to zero if not negative.

If the NHL had a consistent level of play and penalty calling in both the regular season and playoffs, one could make the argument that physical players like Xhekaj would not be as valuable.

However we've seen the type of savagery that prevails in some playoff confrontations and how refs tend to mute their whistles. Jeff Gorton found out the hard way when Tom Wilson obliterated Panarin and wasn’t even suspended for his actions.

As long as the NHL remains a bush league, players like Xhekaj who own other skills beyond physicality, will always be highly sought commodities. We have him, let’s develop him and by the time the Habs are ready to contend, he’ll be a better polished weapon and still very young — so why not develop him properly.

 

[The Real Timo]

If Xhekaj is the only player that can excite you on this team, you may start to watch more exciting teams. There are many others in the NHL. Or boxing or MMA ???

The fans going at the Bell and paying the big bucks seem to be entairtained most of the time, and are still filling the building. Id Xhekaj can improve his defensive play and cut down on lazy, useless penalties, he could become the entertainer you are dreaming about. And above all, for the GOOD of the TEAM. For the moment, he has limited impact.

Not the only player of course. Yoel is what really keeps me watching.

 

[sharknado]

The thing is Xhekaj has been doing those mistakes last year and is still doing them this year. It’s not the same with other players necessarily. If you ask a player to work or get better at something specifically and it doesn’t get better are they supposed to not tell him anything and let it be?

He can ask for a trade, he’d still have to work on his weaknesses elsewhere.

I agree if that is the case. Is anyone actually working with him to not make those same mistakes are all they do is tell him and expect him to be aware of it when playing at a fast pace?

 

[Shutdown]

solid game last night. kept it simple. only got 12 minutes of ice time but Matheson won't play 27 minutes every night.

 

[Habs]

we need more smurfs and soft players patrolling the bluelines, it works wonders for all successful teams in the NHL.

 

[hvac412]

Xhekaj is so overated that's it's not even funny. Some fans are willing to give him the moon because he can fight... So what ? It should be about hockey, first and above all. He has been injured twice, and quite seriously, by two non goons, Desharnais and Barbashev. He is subpar defensively. He is indeed AHL level at this point. I would had send him down to Laval for at least this week. Habs management were generous for him: NHL salary + a full holiday week with his buddies, girlfriend and-or family. He has to cut on his bad penalties. Concentrate on his d-game.

Delete....

 

[Nova_Scotia_Vees]

Xhekaj is so overated that's it's not even funny. Some fans are willing to give him the moon because he can fight... So what ? It should be about hockey, first and above all. He has been injured twice, and quite seriously, by two non goons, Desharnais and Barbashev. He is subpar defensively. He is indeed AHL level at this point. I would had send him down to Laval for at least this week. Habs management were generous for him: NHL salary + a full holiday week with his buddies, girlfriend and-or family. He has to cut on his bad penalties. Concentrate on his d-game.

What a bunch of nonsense.

 

[CAUFIELD]

Xhekaj is 100% in the lineup for years to come to me.

He’ll get better at defending with experience. His floor is a #6 and roof is a # 4 . Completely fine !!!

 

[MXD]

What a bunch of nonsense.

He's sortof right though. D-Men whose skills are physical and whose weaknesses are, for a lack of a better word, mental, tend to be generally overrated.

I don't agree with the AHL part, however.

 

[Tyson]

Xhekaj is a work in progress which is normal for any young player. I have no issue with him playing 13-14 minutes while learning the trade as long as management is committed to working with him.

 

[Tyson]

Last night after a whistle Malestyn got into a shoving match with Struble. A few shifts later after a whistle Xhekaj aggressively pushed him away after a whistle, Malestyn quietly skated away.

 

[Captain Mountain]

What a bunch of nonsense.

Yeah. I get criticism regarding the lack of discipline and some gaffes, but even accounting for usage Xhekaj's actual impact defensively is positive.

He's sortof right though. D-Men whose skills are physical and whose weaknesses are, for a lack of a better word, mental, tend to be generally overrated.

I don't agree with the AHL part, however.

It depends on the actual weakness and what value the player has, but its more common that D whose skills are physical and who are viewed as strong defensively because they don't make noticeable gaffes are the ones that are overrated.

No D on the Habs gives up goals or chances at lower rate than Xhekaj. That's in sheltered minutes, but still worth pointing out. IMO he's being carefully brought along and seems to be buying in, but there's probably a 2nd/3rd pair D-man who will be able to impose himself physically and protect the crease, at least with careful development. And those guys are hard to find at a young age.

 

[Fatbiggie]

That 2nd Suzuki goal last night was all Arber, he can really shoot the puck through traffic.

 

[Canadienna]

Last night after a whistle Malestyn got into a shoving match with Struble. A few shifts later after a whistle Xhekaj aggressively pushed him away after a whistle, Malestyn quietly skated away.

Marc Staal on playing against Xhekaj for the first time

“We were in the corner & I was holding him & he just looks at me & says: ‘You have 3 seconds to let go…” I was like ok ok Jesus Christ”

 

[Mikah]

solid game last night. kept it simple. only got 12 minutes of ice time but Matheson won't play 27 minutes every night.

Indeed. I have a hard time understanding the hate he is getting by some here.

If you take abstraction of the dumb penalties, which is something he can work on (he did fine yesterday), and even the fact that he is the only player that can really fight and/or intimidate (Pezz is just an irrelevant lightweight), I find that his hockey play is not that bad?

He was not the worst D last night that's for sure (*Kov*), and he certainly looks like he belongs. No one is trying to say that he should be a first paid D, but as a bottom D, he certainly is doing fine. A couple of years of experience will make him more solid, and he does bring something to the table.

We are far from the goons that used to be a complete liability on the ice.

 

[1909]

Indeed. I have a hard time understanding the hate he is getting by some here.

If you take abstraction of the dumb penalties, which is something he can work on (he did fine yesterday), and even the fact that he is the only player that can really fight and/or intimidate (Pezz is just an irrelevant lightweight), I find that his hockey play is not that bad?

He was not the worst D last night that's for sure (*Kov*), and he certainly looks like he belongs. No one is trying to say that he should be a first paid D, but as a bottom D, he certainly is doing fine. A couple of years of experience will make him more solid, and he does bring something to the table.

We are far from the goons that used to be a complete liability on the ice.

"the hate"... That's a strong word. Being realistic about the player's potential and how he is playing so far at NHL level, is what it is. The guy has some learning to do as a d-man. It will come with time and games played. But he has to show to his coaches and teamates that he is progressing and learning. That's all. No "hate" there. If he achieves that, he will become a very good and special full -time NHL d-man.

 

[BLONG7]

Last night after a whistle Malestyn got into a shoving match with Struble. A few shifts later after a whistle Xhekaj aggressively pushed him away after a whistle, Malestyn quietly skated away.

Out TEAM, needs The Sherriff in the lineup..............we just do. That element of toughness, and keeping $hit-rats honest....
I like Struble and Arber in the lineup at the same time.............there are shifts, it's just needed....there are games, including the playoffs, where these types are needed.

Fighting.................not necessary.....................TEAM toughness, is.......just ask the Leafs.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Indeed. I have a hard time understanding the hate he is getting by some here.

If you take abstraction of the dumb penalties, which is something he can work on (he did fine yesterday), and even the fact that he is the only player that can really fight and/or intimidate (Pezz is just an irrelevant lightweight), I find that his hockey play is not that bad?

He was not the worst D last night that's for sure (*Kov*), and he certainly looks like he belongs. No one is trying to say that he should be a first paid D, but as a bottom D, he certainly is doing fine. A couple of years of experience will make him more solid, and he does bring something to the table.

We are far from the goons that used to be a complete liability on the ice.

There is no hate on Arber Xhekaj.. people are trying to control the insane pants-wetting that went on when he was justifiably sent down.

Undrafted defenseman not needing any AHL time may be the rarest thing on earth.

 

[CHwest]

Indeed. I have a hard time understanding the hate he is getting by some here.

If you take abstraction of the dumb penalties, which is something he can work on (he did fine yesterday), and even the fact that he is the only player that can really fight and/or intimidate (Pezz is just an irrelevant lightweight), I find that his hockey play is not that bad?

He was not the worst D last night that's for sure (*Kov*), and he certainly looks like he belongs. No one is trying to say that he should be a first paid D, but as a bottom D, he certainly is doing fine. A couple of years of experience will make him more solid, and he does bring something to the table.

We are far from the goons that used to be a complete liability on the ice.

Why is a differing opinion always labeled hate? Pet peave of mine.

 

[badfish]

Kind of interesting, I was curious to see if the team had a better win % with him in the line-up versus him out of the line-up.

Him in the line-up: 9W-9L-9OTL .500 point %
Him out of the line-up: 12W-12L-6OTL .500 point %

 

[Hannibal]

During the break, Xhekaj didn’t go on vacation. He got back in the lab and gym doing drills on and off the ice.

Keep the kid. He has it.

 

[dauv]

Marc Staal on playing against Xhekaj for the first time

“We were in the corner & I was holding him & he just looks at me & says: ‘You have 3 seconds to let go…” I was like ok ok Jesus Christ”

this is GOLD I tell you Jerry, GOLD