Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Team_Spirit]

We need to buy a Arber snuggie for @OldCraig71 let's do it

Amazon prime stays undefeated

Enjoy @OldCraig71

 

[OldCraig71]

Amazon prime stays undefeated

Enjoy @OldCraig71

View attachment 829754

I think you are in love with me and all I can say is get in line, there are so many demands for my attention, so I am giving you some and I hope it brightens your day.

 

[schwang26]

First off, he shouldn’t fight this kid. He’s not worth it. But if he does, the way to beat him is get inside. Arber is much stronger physically than the other kid. Inside and he wrecks him because Rempe’s long arms have no bearing on the issue. That is how you beat him.
And Arber has a quality that the other kid doesn’t have: Arber becomes a psycho if the other guy pokes him.
Olivier is the same. And Olivier killed the kid. Reaves played it safe yesterday and did not win. When fighting a tall and lanky guy (not known to be a true fighter btw), go inside.

From the highlights I’ve seen, Rempe doesn’t seem to win very much. I don’t think he’ll be long for this league either. He’ll end up with injury issues and get tossed aside like any goon.

 

[donghabs98]

From the highlights I’ve seen, Rempe doesn’t seem to win very much. I don’t think he’ll be long for this league either. He’ll end up with injury issues and get tossed aside like any goon.

I think its a mistake taking off these fights. The Reaves fight wasn't necessary and by continuing to take them its gonna take away from how intimidating he is. Not to mention the injuries he's opening himself to.

 

[schwang26]

I think its a mistake taking off these fights. The Reaves fight wasn't necessary and by continuing to take them its gonna take away from how intimidating he is. Not to mention the injuries he's opening himself to.

Yep. I’m all down for a good fight, but having the discussion before hand is so bush league. Show that you can play the game instead of being a big freak who plays a few minutes a game and takes on any challengers. Judging by his face recently, he won’t be long for this league. The Rangers will end up burying him in the minors and he’ll fade away. That’s my prediction.

 

[EveryDay]

He's playing at his best level so far this year, he's awesome!

 

[1909]

More than 20 minutes against Preds !!!! He is carving his own niche on a second pairing pretty fast.

 

[salbutera]

More than 20 minutes against Preds !!!! He is carving his own niche on a second pairing pretty fast.

Shhh… MSL hates him

 

[26Mats]

He's playing at his best level so far this year, he's awesome!

as much as I want to trade Savard for a 1st plus to drop in the standings for our 1st, he seems to be a great partner for Xhekaj.

 

[1909]

as much as I want to trade Savard for a 1st plus to drop in the standings for our 1st, he seems to be a great partner for Xhekaj.

Exactly. HUGHES: DO NOT TRADE SAVARD !

 

[EveryDay]

as much as I want to trade Savard for a 1st plus to drop in the standings for our 1st, he seems to be a great partner for Xhekaj.

Agreed + we literally have no freaking RD in the lineup outside of Kovacevic.

 

[Sorinth]

Not that the stat means much but with tonight's +3 Xhekaj moves into 2nd place on the team in +/- with a +5, Kovacevic leads the team at +9.

 

[Rapala]

Not that the stat means much but with tonight's +3 Xhekaj moves into 2nd place on the team in +/- with a +5, Kovacevic leads the team at +9.

+3 in this games says a lot. His pairing was by far the best of the night and was consistently able to move the puck the other way.
Cleared the zone with decent outlets, with his legs, and off the glass without icing it or taking a delay of game.
By far our best Dman at standing up at either blue or challenging for pucks in the neutral zone.
Very good gap control with no fear of getting beat.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

He had one or two slightly "bad" shifts tonight, but that's pretty good all things considered since NSH has a really good forecheckin game and heavy players. X handled it well for the most part. He is coming into his own now. It's great to see.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

He had one or two slightly "bad" shifts tonight, but that's pretty good all things considered since NSH has a really good forecheckin game and heavy players. X handled it well for the most part. He is coming into his own now. It's great to see.

Thought Xhekaj played a solid and controlled game. He has much more skill, mobility and vision than many expect. The fact that he offers the team a looming, menacing presence is just a bonus. It is becoming apparent that MSL is comfortable in placing increased faith and reliance on Xhekaj who has now firmly established himself as a top 4 defenceman on this team. And the good thing is: he's only going to get better.

We should be increasing our COSTCO scouting staff. No question about that.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Not that would trade him, i love the guy, but if the Flyers would offer you Michkov and a second round pick, would you do it ?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Not that would trade him, i love the guy, but if the Flyers would offer you Michkov and a second round pick, would you do it ?

Yup, but they're not going to offer that, though a slight rumour that Gautheir was offered for a dman, likely Reinbacher

 

[26Mats]

Not that would trade him, i love the guy, but if the Flyers would offer you Michkov and a second round pick, would you do it ?

I would.

But of course it won't happen. And I'm really happy with Xhekaj's progress. I'm hoping he'll be Ben Chiarot in our cup finals run, but with more offense, a little tighter defensively, and of course more intimidating and nasty.

 

[Rapala]

Thought Xhekaj played a solid and controlled game. He has much more skill, mobility and vision than many expect. The fact that he offers the team a looming, menacing presence is just a bonus. It is becoming apparent that MSL is comfortable in placing increased faith and reliance on Xhekaj who has now firmly established himself as a top 4 defenceman on this team. And the good thing is: he's only going to get better.

We should be increasing our COSTCO scouting staff. No question about that.

Watching Arber it's hard not to be stoked with Florian's growth spurt in his game this season.
It's like the natural abilities and coordination are catching up with the physical side.

As far as menacing goes one of my favorite replays was Sherwood beating Xhekaj to a puck in his corner and suddenly deciding to allow Arber to go first.


It's been a while since we've seen that happen with one of our Dmen.
I've noticed it a number of times in the last little while where forwards think twice about contesting pucks.
That bodes well.

 

[Habs Icing]

Thought Xhekaj played a solid and controlled game. He has much more skill, mobility and vision than many expect. The fact that he offers the team a looming, menacing presence is just a bonus. It is becoming apparent that MSL is comfortable in placing increased faith and reliance on Xhekaj who has now firmly established himself as a top 4 defenceman on this team. And the good thing is: he's only going to get better.

We should be increasing our COSTCO scouting staff. No question about that.

Didn't we already with Florian?

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Yup, but they're not going to offer that, though a slight rumour that Gautheir was offered for a dman, likely Reinbacher

Personally, i would have taken Gauthier for Reinbacher.

 

[waitin425]

Amazon prime stays undefeated

Enjoy @OldCraig71

View attachment 829754

This actually looks like the same guy in OldCraig's avatar? Am I missing something, or is Old Craig a legit Sleep Model?

 

[OldCraig71]

Thought Xhekaj played a solid and controlled game. He has much more skill, mobility and vision than many expect. The fact that he offers the team a looming, menacing presence is just a bonus. It is becoming apparent that MSL is comfortable in placing increased faith and reliance on Xhekaj who has now firmly established himself as a top 4 defenceman on this team. And the good thing is: he's only going to get better.

We should be increasing our COSTCO scouting staff. No question about that.

I was very much opposed to sending him down and felt that others should go instead of him but I was wrong, his play has matured, and he's making the play as opposed to just being reactionary as he was in the past. He doesn't seem to panic and his positional play is beautiful to watch, strong as a bull and more focused on playing hockey now and making smart decisions.

 

[OldCraig71]

This actually looks like the same guy in OldCraig's avatar? Am I missing something, or is Old Craig a legit Sleep Model?

You're definitely missing something.

 

[Tyson]

I was very much opposed to sending him down and felt that others should go instead of him but I was wrong, his play has matured, and he's making the play as opposed to just being reactionary as he was in the past. He doesn't seem to panic and his positional play is beautiful to watch, strong as a bull and more focused on playing hockey now and making smart decisions.

I think he let some popularity get to his head a bit and it affected his play. I think management (in retrospect) did the right thing by showing him some tough love. The wake up call worked. Now I hope they don't trade Savard because he has really helped the young Dmen.