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Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

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larek said:
What did he say I missed that
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Happened a few times. It was particularly harsh to see Xhekaj excuse himself to MSL and the latter reassuring him, only to scratch him on the upcoming game.

Not great optics but beyond that, I’d much rather see Xhekaj max out his playing time in Laval over the rest of the season rather than playing some 13 minutes and getting scratched intermittently.
 
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I still suspect that there is an attitude/communications problem with Xhekaj.

I recall an interview when he was called back up where Arber said he learned a lot, spoke to Marty, and was looking to set up regular talks with him. I was surprised it wasn't happening before.

I am wondering if it's a case where Arber thinks he's much better than where he is at and doesn't think he needs to put in his dues.

From a playing perspective, I can see reasons for him to be healthy scratched at times, as he hasn;t been the best this season. But not as regularly as he has.

It's pure speculation, but I bet it's more than on-ice stuff. We've seen these type of relationships before with coaches, and most cases it always ends up being off-ice stuff that causes these messages.
 
Runner77 said:
Happened a few times. It was particularly harsh to see Xhekaj excuse himself to MSL and the latter reassuring him, only to scratch him on the upcoming game.

Not great optics but beyond that, I’d much rather see Xhekaj max out his playing time in Laval over the rest of the season rather than playing some 13 minutes and getting scratched intermittently.
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What do you mean he excused himself?
 
Good thing the players are mostly English, they won't get caught up in the French media crap. just play hockey.
 
Anyways seem to remember those couple penalties by Jackeye were questionable one was accidentl other was ehh pretty mild
 
For me the thing to remember is that X is very young and hungry, and certainly wants to be an impact player. That's great, but MSL and co are showing him that he can either be a bottom pairing guy who fights and hits now OR he can be patient and work hard and become a legit #4 Dman.
 
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How about
Habssince89 said:
For me the thing to remember is that X is very young and hungry, and certainly wants to be an impact player. That's great, but MSL and co are showing him that he can either be a bottom pairing guy who fights and hits now OR he can be patient and work hard and become a legit #4 Dman.
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How about atop 4 guy that hits and fights when need be------- Zack McEwen on waivers - pick him up put him on 4th line
 
larek said:
Ya that's fine - maybe St Louis doesn't like tall players since he's so tiny
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MSL really liked it when Vinny stepped up for him. That was fine too. How quickly they forget.
 
The two injuries he got had huge effect not only on his body but also on his confidence. He looks good at AHL level because the game is slower and the competition is od a lesser caliber. He was playing badly at the start of the season, and he is still the same right now. Of course, he is adulated by fans. The guy spent the Summer around MTL and participated in all kinds of public events. His ego must be hurt now.
 
Strange that people start talking about ''ego'' now, do you guy's have any exemple of things he might have done to let you think it might be a problem, cuz to me nothingscream ''ego'' when i watch him

Could be wrong, dont know him personaly
 
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1909 said:
The two injuries he got had huge effect not only on his body but also on his confidence. He looks good at AHL level because the game is slower and the competition is od a lesser caliber. He was playing badly at the start of the season, and he is still the same right now. Of course, he is adulated by fans. The guy spent the Summer around MTL and participated in all kinds of public events. His ego must be hurt now.
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He looked fine up on Montreal
The reason he is so popular is because he was one of one who would be a physical presence
Hopefully Habs management isn't trying to change him

teamfirst said:
Strange that people start talking about ''ego'' now, do you guy's have any exemple of things he might have done to let you think it might be a problem, cuz to me nothingscream ''ego'' when i watch him

Could be wrong, dont know him personaly
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People trying to excuse management
 
larek said:
He looked fine up on Montreal
The reason he is so popular is because he was one of one who would be a physical presence
Hopefully Habs management isn't trying to change him


People trying to excuse management
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So obvious, didn't hear anything related to ego when KK or Galchenyuk where call out by previous management, and there was clearly ego problem there
 
larek said:
How about

How about atop 4 guy that hits and fights when need be------- Zack McEwen on waivers - pick him up put him on 4th line
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That's exactly his point. Xhekaj is taking too many PIM to be a top 4 player you can rely on. He is on pace for 200+ PIM in 82 games. In this age of hockey that's way too much for a top 4 guy. He needs to choose his moments better.
 
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teamfirst said:
So obvious, didn't hear anything related to ego when KK or Galchenyuk where call out by previous management, and there was clearly ego problem there
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Yep and how many other things they kept private but St.Louis had to be all mouthy in public- he needs to go back to the off Broadway Cabaret run
 
larek said:
He looked fine up on Montreal
The reason he is so popular is because he was one of one who would be a physical presence
Hopefully Habs management isn't trying to change him


People trying to excuse management
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They are trying to make him a better defenseman. What's wrong with that ?
 
Xhekaj is the first player under MSL tenure that he's expressed public frustration with. That in and of itself is a red flag. Coupled with the comments of Arber saying he's gonna try and meet with the coaches more like some of the other players is also a little bit of a flag.

This isn't Therrien who threw anyone and everyone under the bus (except Desharnais). This is a coach who is fairly reserved about public comments. So something is definitely up with Arber that isn't jiving with the coaching staff.

Of course, because fans are so obsessed with size, they presume that Arber is hated because he fights, but it's very reductivist. He hasn't really been better than other d-men that have rotated in and out of the lineup (Kovacevic, Barron, Harris), but he also hasn't been worse to be the one who is mostly out.

I definitely think there is something more at play here. Also, any fans thinking arber has played well enough to warrant a regular spot is being delusional. You don't get to play regularly just because you're big and can fight.
 
teamfirst said:
So obvious, didn't hear anything related to ego when KK or Galchenyuk where call out by previous management, and there was clearly ego problem there
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KK was as the talk after he left was that he didn't listen to his coaches and had an ego and was difficult or something along those lines. Galchenyuk was clearly off-ice issues though oddly enough both of them along with Tinordi were ones that there were rumors of their dads being an issue, say giving bad advice or telling them not to listen to their coaches but it's mostly hearsay.
 
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