Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Nicko999]

I walked into Arber about 40 min ago. Came face to face with him as we were walking different directions. He was with his GF (I think) so didn't bother him.

 

[overlords]

Souray had a certain presence, and he didn't have to fight often to maintain it. I want wifi to get to that point.

It's a fine line for a tough a guy. You don't want to be pigeon holed as the guy who obliges all the other guys that want to make a name for themselves, for some sideshow heavyweight belt.

That was a dilemma that probert got into, and he often obliged. It's a different era with less fighting, but the same idea applies. Probert was a good player away from the sideshow too. Likewise, wifi is more than just a fighter too.

Souray was the f***ing man. If you touched koivu, him or Rivet were coming for you.

 

[LaP]

I walked into Arber about 40 min ago. Came face to face with him as we were walking different directions. He was with his GF (I think) so didn't bother him.

Where did you find a computer in heaven?

 

[japhi]

I see a big improvement from him over the past few games. That stretch in the AHL was well played.

And like others, I don't want him fighting plugs. I see a 20 minute a night hard nosed 30 point dman, no need fighting bums, he is the superior talent.

Edit to add....I also don't think we should "let him do his thing, be himself" as others are wanting. The way he skates, shoots, his size, I see a guy that has crazy upside, I am glad they are working with him on reaching it.

 

[Non Player Canadiens]

I walked into Arber about 40 min ago. Came face to face with him as we were walking different directions. He was with his GF (I think) so didn't bother him.

 

[Tyson]

Arber is starting to realize he is a good player, not just a feared fighter. He is more valuable taking a regular shift.

 

[JianYang]

Souray was the f***ing man. If you touched koivu, him or Rivet were coming for you.

I remember watching this game lol. Armstrong later joined the Habs and then I realized how much of a huge Habs fan he was growing up.

 

[BLONG7]

I remember watching this game lol. Armstrong later joined the Habs and then I realized how much of a huge Habs fan he was growing up.

Laying out Saku, was not cool.......not cool.

 

[Tyson]

Souray was the f***ing man. If you touched koivu, him or Rivet were coming for you.

Many years ago I met Sheldon Souray as he was leaving the morning skate in Carolina. I had been invited into the locker room and walked out of the arena with Souray. One of the classiest guys I have ever met. He handed me one of his sticks and it is on display in one of our spare rooms. Damn good man.

 

[JianYang]

Laying out Saku, was not cool.......not cool.

It's about the only time I recall Saku getting his clock cleaned.

I was fuming for sure, but that was also part of the fun of being a fan. I used to get more emotionally invested. Not that today-s hockey sucks.... it's just different.

 

[BLONG7]

Back to The Sherriff, there should be no reason to take this kid, out of the lineup the rest of this season.....................we have kept a clown like Gally in the lineup and his penalties have actually cost us wins for gods sake.
We have jokers like Anderson, and Armia who also get lazy penalties, and nothing happens to them.

The kid is talented, and a fan favorite....

 

[FLHabs]

Rempe fighting every tough guy like a goon makes me appreciate how the coaching staff might've told Xhekaj to tone it down and focus on playing hockey. Yea it would be fun to watch him fight all the time, but that wouldn't be good for his longevity in the NHL. Xhekaj will be so much more than just a goon

 

[Tyson]

Rempe fighting every tough guy like a goon makes me appreciate how the coaching staff might've told Xhekaj to tone it down and focus on playing hockey. Yea it would be fun to watch him fight all the time, but that wouldn't be good for his longevity in the NHL. Xhekaj will be so much more than just a goon

Very well said. Xhekaj can actually play.

 

[Doc McKenna]

Souray was my first comparable for Xhekaj.

I don't know if he'll ever be able to put up close to Souray's offensive numbers, but I hope he can stick handle better in his own zone. Souray tended to cough up the puck with his stick handling mishaps.

I mentioned this a few weeks back. He reminds me of a tougher, less offensive Souray. Would rather him play solid D and chip in 25-30 points or so a year. If he has to fight, he can. Like big bird.

 

[Doc McKenna]

Souray was the f***ing man. If you touched koivu, him or Rivet were coming for you.

Who is the moron "clean hit" That is head hunting from the point. that is THE HIT that made me despise old drippy nose. Though I do like him an colour, I still hated him for that hit. He had done that on a number of occasions. Also a contributor to my overall dislike of the pens in my top 5 GTFO here team, Bruins in a category all of their own.

 

[Doc McKenna]

It's about the only time I recall Saku getting his clock cleaned.

I was fuming for sure, but that was also part of the fun of being a fan. I used to get more emotionally invested. Not that today-s hockey sucks.... it's just different.

Was at my dads yesterday. Threw on you tube for the Habs Quebec game from the 80's. McPhee was a tough SOB and it had some great fights. Dale Hunter was a pretty a big rat, but I would agrue not as dirty as some.

 

[JianYang]

Was at my dads yesterday. Threw on you tube for the Habs Quebec game from the 80's. McPhee was a tough SOB and it had some great fights. Dale Hunter was a pretty a big rat, but I would agrue not as dirty as some.

That was so bizarre. Stastny got kicked out. I'm not sure he deserved to be considering the other stuff that was happening, but that was a big break for montreal.

And I forgot who that guy was that suckered the Habs player (Hamel?). That was so dirty and scary.

I also can't believe that pre-game brawl against the flyers. Nilan had to take on a shirtless Dave brown. That's gotta be terrifying even for knuckles.

 

[blueberry]

That was so bizarre. Stastny got kicked out. I'm not sure he deserved to be considering the other stuff that was happening, but that was a big break for montreal.

And I forgot who that guy was that suckered the Habs player (Hamel?). That was so dirty and scary.

I also can't believe that pre-game brawl against the flyers. Nilan had to take on a shirtless Dave brown. That's gotta be terrifying even for knuckles.

Was it Louis sleigher??

 

[teamfirst]

That was so bizarre. Stastny got kicked out. I'm not sure he deserved to be considering the other stuff that was happening, but that was a big break for montreal.

And I forgot who that guy was that suckered the Habs player (Hamel?). That was so dirty and scary.

I also can't believe that pre-game brawl against the flyers. Nilan had to take on a shirtless Dave brown. That's gotta be terrifying even for knuckles.

Louis Sleigher i think, Jean Hamel is the one who was suckered punch

 

[knuck]

I walked into Arber about 40 min ago. Came face to face with him as we were walking different directions. He was with his GF (I think) so didn't bother him.

be honest, by face to face, you mean face to chin
or face to fist

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Was it Louis sleigher??

Louis Sleigher i think, Jean Hamel is the one who was suckered punch

Yeah, it was Louis Sleigher. What a pos that guy was. I was so happy Montreal came back to win that one.

 

[HuGort]

March 9th: Reaves
April 7th: Rempe?

Predictions?

I kind of wish he wouldn't fight so much. How he got injured last year. Lost time pushed him back. He could be off charts good

 

[Bacchus1]

I mentioned this a few weeks back. He reminds me of a tougher, less offensive Souray. Would rather him play solid D and chip in 25-30 points or so a year. If he has to fight, he can. Like big bird.

Who know how he will develop and be deployed. He has a heavy and accurate shot. If he keeps developing well will the Habs trust him to man the point on the pp?

 

[Zilo44]

Who know how he will develop and be deployed. He has a heavy and accurate shot. If he keeps developing well will the Habs trust him to man the point on the pp?

You would think Arber’s ceiling is more like 2nd PP unit.

We’re playing 4F. For as much hate as he gets, Matheson is a 60 pts defenseman. He ain’t losing his spot.

Then, Mailloux has a better shot and is a much better puck handler. Don’t see Arber taking his spot.

I didn’t include Huston as I think you could slot him ad one of the 4F and not at the point

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

You would think Arber’s ceiling is more like 2nd PP unit.

We’re playing 4F. For as much hate as he gets, Matheson is a 60 pts defenseman. He ain’t losing his spot.

Then, Mailloux has a better shot and is a much better puck handler. Don’t see Arber taking his spot.

I didn’t include Huston as I think you could slot him ad one of the 4F and not at the point

Mailloux is a better offensive Dman than Xhekaj, but i doubt, Mailloux can beat 107.2, and Xhekaj is usually accurate when he shoots, also Xhekaj's wristy is pretty heavy and accurate too.