Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[jaffy27]

Wait until you see Mailloux and Xhekaj together.

I don’t envision them as a pairing duo but ya, those two plus Reinbacher and Guhle and Hutson and Struble as our blueliners moving forward looks promising!

Arpon did an article on The Athletic about Arber - and one thing is clear, the organization was emphatic with Arber that they see him as a part of the teams future.

Good, cause I think I’d be sick for a week if hey ever traded him. He’s a f***in Pegasus man, and you don’t get rid of those. I hope the lock him up for 8yrs.

 

[Tyson]

I don’t envision them as a pairing duo but ya, those two plus Reinbacher and Guhle and Hutson and Struble as our blueliners moving forward looks promising!

In Laval they developed a solid chemistry. It was noticeable as soon as Arber accepted the demotion. They were not fun to play against.

 

[jaffy27]

In Laval they developed a solid chemistry. It was noticeable as soon as Arber accepted the demotion. They were not fun to play against.

True….i just picture X as a 5 and Mailloux as a 3-4.

but if they do play together, we’ll have to call them the ”Dos Equis” pairing lol

 

[Tyson]

True….i just picture X as a 5 and Mailloux as a 3-4.

but if they do play together, we’ll have to call them the ”Dos Equis” pairing lol

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There is some validity to what you say if Mailloux reaches full potential. He may become a top pairing player and Arber may top out as a #4.

 

[Kimota]

Kovacevich is a smart guy. We shall henceforth name him "The Doctor".

 

[le_sean]

Arpon did an article on The Athletic about Arber - and one thing is clear, the organization was emphatic with Arber that they see him as a part of the teams future.

That was made quite clear when they drafted his brother in the 4th round when he was a Round 6-7 guy.

 

[Goalfield13]

There is some validity to what you say if Mailloux reaches full potential. He may become a top pairing player and Arber may top out as a #4.

Our top 4 could very easily be Guhle-Reinbacher, Weapon X-Mailloux. That's looks like a playoff ready D core in my eyes.

 

[Adriatic]

So glad we have a guy like him in the lineup that can play also play hockey. We need a few a couple few more skaters that can bring some real toughness to the table.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

That was made quite clear when they drafted his brother in the 4th round when he was a Round 6-7 guy.

With his accelerated development it would appear that his brother was more a round 2-3 guy.

 

[jaffy27]

With his accelerated development it would appear that his brother was more a round 2-3 guy.

 

[le_sean]

With his accelerated development it would appear that his brother was more a round 2-3 guy.

This is a bit of an exaggeration. He’s not even at a PPG in the OHL. He has Michael Pezzetta type of numbers.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

This is a bit of an exaggeration. He’s not even at a PPG in the OHL. He has Michael Pezzetta type of numbers.

He's bigger, faster and possess a much higher skill set than Pezzetta. Florian can make offensive plays that Pezzetta can only dream about. After Beck, Florian is probably one of our most promising forward prospect. That may well be a case of damning him with the faintest of praise, but if Florian can gain some quickness, this kid is playing in the NHL. How many of our current forward prospects can we say that about?

One thing we have all learned, you shouldn't underestimate a Xhekaj.

 

[Adriatic]

He's bigger, faster and possess a much higher skill set than Pezzetta. Florian can make offensive plays that Pezzetta can only dream about. After Beck, Florian is probably one of our most promising forward prospect. That may well be a case of damning him with the faintest of praise, but if Florian can gain some quickness, this kid is playing in the NHL. How many of our current forward prospects can we say that about. One thing we have all learned, you shouldn't underestimate a Xhekaj.

Never seen him play but if he can keep up and play a regular shift in the NHL he will be welcomed with open arms. We need to add some bodies with a mean streak that are not afraid to get physical up front.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

This is a bit of an exaggeration. He’s not even at a PPG in the OHL. He has Michael Pezzetta type of numbers.

Just a follow up.

Tonight, Brantford plays Saginaw and if readers have the ability to watch the game, you will get an opportunity to observe two of our best prospects Beck and Florian Xhekaj. While statistics are important, they aren't the sole determinant of a prospect's ultimate promise. Even a cursory viewing of Florian's level of play will confirm that Florian Xhekaj is a superior player than Pezzetta. Skill wise, they aren't even the same species. That being said, unless Florian gets much quicker, he will never be more than a fringe NHLer. Already, he has NHL size, shot and straight forward speed. But hockey at the NHL level, isn't a 200 foot race. The game is played in 10 to 15 foot races, with multiple stops and starts where players battling for the puck and to gain positioning require, agility, balance, edge work and explosive /quickness. It's in this latter area, where the younger Xhekaj needs improvement.

The game will also provide viewers an opportunity to see two other Bulldog players who are draft eligible: Parekh and Vanacker. I have my strong reservations whether Parekh's game is transferable to the NHL. Vanacker is a completely different matter. Largely predicted to go in the mid second round, I am hoping, really hoping, that he will still be available when we are using the Jets' pick. This kid, who has excellent skating and offensive skills, looks like he will be an offensive star at the NHL level. I am also hoping when Montreal scouts are checking up on Florian Xhekaj's progress, they have taken notice of Vanacker's level of play and promise. I'm certain other team's have. I suspect he may go in the 15-20 range. If he falls further than that , he will., in my opinion, be a steal. Let's hope our scouts are awake.

But people should use their own eyes to assess these players without their usual reliance and reference to statistics and the trite comments of the pundits.

It's a game worth watching on several accounts.

 

[Habs]

Our top 4 could very easily be Guhle-Reinbacher, Weapon X-Mailloux. That's looks like a playoff ready D core in my eyes.

Weapon x? Could be the cringiest name I’ve ever heard. My god.

 

[montreal]

Never seen him play,

I can help with that,

 

[JianYang]

I like watching arber play. His style will inevitably come with more penalties, and while he can count down on some silly ones, I am concerned about him developing a certain reputation with the refs where he never gets the benefit of the doubt. It's early so maybe that will turn around, but I do feel like the refs already have a bit of a label on him that won't play to his favour.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

This is a bit of an exaggeration. He’s not even at a PPG in the OHL. He has Michael Pezzetta type of numbers.

He is very different than Pezzetta and is definitely more skilled. Pezzetta was a better skater and more of a high energy forechecking net crasher whereas Florian is more of a play driving rangy big man who handles and carries the puck more as well as being a much better shooter.

I have no doubt whatsoever that he goes in the second round in a re draft which is not to say that he is a can't miss prospect because most second rounders don't make it in the NHL. He has demonstrated enough skill in combination with his growth spurt to justify moving him up the draft board significantly in a re-draft scenario. He is still adjusting to his sudden height gain and may take another big step when he fills out and can take full advatage of his frame.

He looks closer to Turner Stevenson than Pezzetta imo and he is a much better shooter than Turner ever was.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

I knew Arber had the Habs hardest shot, wow 107,2 mph.

 

[Runner77]

I like watching arber play. His style will inevitably come with more penalties, and while he can count down on some silly ones, I am concerned about him developing a certain reputation with the refs where he never gets the benefit of the doubt. It's early so maybe that will turn around, but I do feel like the refs already have a bit of a label on him that won't play to his favour.

I’m more interested in Xhekaj earning his head coach’s confidence than the reputation he gets with refs. While there may be a communicating vase aspect to both sources, ultimately I expect the head coach to know when a penalty is due to a committed fault vs reputation.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I knew Arber had the Habs hardest shot, wow 107,2 mph.

And the ill-informed fans of other teams think he’s a thug. Their goalies and the poor defencemen that have to try to block his shot will soon be able to advise them otherwise. Or at least their team physicians will.

And no, were not trading him.

 

[Habs]

So glad we have a guy like him in the lineup that can play also play hockey. We need a few a couple few more skaters that can bring some real toughness to the table.

Starting out like Weber. Booming shot, tough... just takes a little time. Hey how about that Rempe in NY? Another beauty of a teammate

 

[JianYang]

And the ill-informed fans of other teams think he’s a thug. Their goalies and the poor defencemen that have to try to block his shot will soon be able to advise them otherwise. Or at least their team physicians will.

And no, were not trading him.

He has shown the ability to provide an instant goal out of nothing. I think it was against Washington where he received a drop pass at the blueline and he just leaned into it and flat out beat the goalie.

There was alot of Sheldon Souray in that goal.

 

[teamfirst]

I would love to see more of him on PP1 , Math does a good job there but will not be there when we are ready to compete.

Shot like he has being set up by good passer like Slaf, Suz and Caufield could be lethal

 

[Tyson]

Xhekaj has a Souray quality shot, it has to be implemented