Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[417]

Only reason 8 years is being brought up is because they want a Nick Paul type thing with a ridiculously cheap cap hit for a long time
Like pulling a fast one kind of, don't see Arbers camp going for it, as much as we'd like it

Thing is, Nick Paul had some track record before he signed that 8 year deal. \

Xhekaj does not.

As you just wrote, there's now way he and his agent would sign an 8 year deal today unless the Habs for some reason are willing to overpay.

And conversely, the Montreal Canadiens I don' think would have an appetite to sign a guy who again, hasn't established himself as a regular Dman, for 8 years and that's not even talking about the injury concerns.

I'm more baffled people think he's getting 2+Mill right away..?
And I'm a huge supporter/fan of his
But Habs unfortunately have all the leverage here with the abundance of D and Xhekaj not even really 'established' himself yet seeing as how he had to AHL it up for a little bit there

I don't think the bridge deal touches 2mill per at all honestly
Maybe 1.7 or something, maybe

100% agreed.

 

[Captain97]

A 8 years contract with Xhekaj will likely never make sense.

I think the 2 year bridge makes the most sense.

But if we could get him on a good deal long term I'd do it. In reality he will likely do a 2-3 year bridge followed by 4-5 year contracts for most of his career

 

[BLONG7]

Very few people are thinking an 8 year deal.
More than likely a 2-3 year show me type of deal.
His health can be used as a cautious approach and the deal would work for the kid and the team.

 

[BLONG7]

Only reason 8 years is being brought up is because they want a Nick Paul type thing with a ridiculously cheap cap hit for a long time
Like pulling a fast one kind of, don't see Arbers camp going for it, as much as we'd like it

I'm more baffled people think he's getting 2+Mill right away..?
And I'm a huge supporter/fan of his
But Habs unfortunately have all the leverage here with the abundance of D and Xhekaj not even really 'established' himself yet seeing as how he had to AHL it up for a little bit there

I don't think the bridge deal touches 2mill per at all honestly
Maybe 1.7 or something, maybe

Hughes loves to drive the leverage bus.............seems to live for it in fact.
A 2 year deal and maybe a 3rd year but that will be it.......I do also think it will be sub 2M but I am never right on the money.......I do have faith in Hughes doing the right thing here.
The kid is a good young player, with lots to learn........a fan fave and a team favorite, and love to see the kid defend his team mates...

 

[angusyoung]

Very few people are thinking an 8 year deal.
More than likely a 2-3 year show me type of deal.
His health can be used as a cautious approach and the deal would work for the kid and the team.

Some are but you have to accept that there are idiots everywhere.

 

[BLONG7]

Some are but you have to accept that there are idiots everywhere.

I think those fans are the guys that think they can fleece the player and agent into a team friendly deal.......no way that happens at this point....no way.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

3 yrs 5.5 million - 1.75 x 2yrs, 3rd yr - 2 million

or whatever gets him signed, we need him in the lineup.

 

[Gaud]

i dont understand how knowledgeable habs fan can watch these playoffs and think it would be a good idea to trade Xhekaj!! Its a bloodbath out there!! freaking Zadarov was one of the Canucks most important player!! Xhekaj is gonna be a huge part of the team success come playoff time!!

I dont think anyone is saying the playoffs are not physical. Also, no one is saying we should get rid of Xhekaj but acquire no one at all who can be physical.

I like Xhekaj; he is physical, can fight, makes big hits that raise the crowd. He also seems to have a hell of a slapshot, but we dont see that often. I like his attitude.

My question on Xhekaj is "take the physicality away, what can he do?" - if the answer is nothing big, or "meh", then i question what makes him untouchable to some fans in the first place. If all he offers you is fists and pain, then he wont be getting icetime when you need to protect a lead or catch up; how can a 3rd pairing D be untouchable?

If this is how the habs see him, i definitely support the Habs trading him as i believe the hype will get us an overpayment and we have a lot of D talent. Get a Delaurier type on the fourth line if you feel your team needs fists for protection.

However, the guy is still young and has very little pro experience. If we can make him into a serviceable DFD that can take on defensive missions reliably without putting himself in the box unnecessarily, great! I certainly dont see the coach putting him in these situations now.

 

[SnapVirus]

Player like Xhekaj signs for 5-6M$ nowdays see Radko Gudas and Nikita Zadorov.

 

[Deebs]

Player like Xhekaj signs for 5-6M$ nowdays see Radko Gudas and Nikita Zadorov.

Zadorov makes $3.75 and is an established D man

Gudas makes $4 and was/is an established D man.

Arber has done nothing in the league yet. Great kid, works hard and I hope he turns out for us. Until he does, he's a project.

 

[SnapVirus]

Zadorov makes $3.75 and is an established D man

Gudas makes $4 and was/is an established D man.

Arber has done nothing in the league yet. Great kid, works hard and I hope he turns out for us. Until he does, he's a project.

Gudas signed that contract at the end of his career.

Zadorov rumors are he is looking for 6-6.5M$ this summer.

 

[overlords]

Gudas signed that contract at the end of his career.

Zadorov rumors are he is looking for 6-6.5M$ this summer.

RE: gudas latest contract, it's still the biggest cap % of his career at 4.79%.

Zadorov is like 29 and at peak value for any team wanting to win a cup now. He has 58 playoff games under his belt. I'm Xhekaj's biggest fan but you can't compare them. Yet.

 

[Tyson]

RE: gudas latest contract, it's still the biggest cap % of his career at 4.79%.

Zadorov is like 29 and at peak value for any team wanting to win a cup. He has 58 playoff games under his belt. I'm Xhekaj's biggest fan but you can't compare them. Yet.

Yet is right

 

[RC51]

if you want him then it's your next 3 1st rounders and david putnim hahahah

 

[Eegs]

I'm hoping for the later in his career offensive explosion ala our handsome old boy Sheldon Souray. Have we had a cooler player in a Habs jersey since Sheldon? Arber is about the only guy that could challenge for it.

Nothing beats the combo of good looks and pugilism. Add offense.... /swoon

 

[Habs Halifax]

First thing I will say is this is a crazy comparison yes, but chill with the "got cha" game. I do see some parallels

Chara vs Xhekaj.
* Similar height/weight. Chara a bit bigger
* Similar physical/intimidating presence
* Similar skating/mobility for big guys
* Two players you don't want to fight.
* Similar shot from the point but Chara had that monster slap shot (in his prime). Xhekaj does have a good shot and not sure how much he will improve it.
* Similar back/forth development at the beginning of the NHL career

Remember, Chara took 7 years to get to this prime (age 19-26) with the Islanders and Sens. Go look up his resume from age 19-26. Then compare that to Xhekaj from 20-23.

Not saying Xhekaj turns into Chara exactly but man, the physical and intimidating presence in the D zone can be similar. Pretty sure the potential is why several GM's are calling us about Xhekaj. They want to buy low before he potentially breaks out.

 

[BLONG7]

First thing I will say is this is a crazy comparison yes, but chill with the "got cha" game. I do see some parallels

Chara vs Xhekaj.
* Similar height/weight. Chara a bit bigger
* Similar physical/intimidating presence
* Similar skating/mobility for big guys
* Two players you don't want to fight.
* Similar shot from the point but Chara had that monster slap shot (in his prime). Xhekaj does have a good shot and not sure how much he will improve it.
* Similar back/forth development at the beginning of the NHL career

Remember, Chara took 7 years to get to this prime (age 19-26) with the Islanders and Sens. Go look up his resume from age 19-26. Then compare that to Xhekaj from 20-23.

Not saying Xhekaj turns into Chara exactly but man, the physical and intimidating presence in the D zone can be similar. Pretty sure the potential is why several GM's are calling us about Xhekaj. They want to buy low before he potentially breaks out.

I sure hope they don't trade him......he is a project of sorts, but we all need to be patient and to your point, the potential is there, to become a force.

That said, if someone wants to overpay then it warrants some consideration.....but I hope we are not like the Sens, and let him slip away like they did with Chara. Again, not saying he will become that player, but there are a ton of similarities.
Hughes is a smart dude, who seems to know what he is doing.....Gorton looking over his shoulder is a good thing also.

The boys love trying to steal the show on draft day so................

First thing I will say is this is a crazy comparison yes, but chill with the "got cha" game. I do see some parallels

Chara vs Xhekaj.
* Similar height/weight. Chara a bit bigger
* Similar physical/intimidating presence
* Similar skating/mobility for big guys
* Two players you don't want to fight.
* Similar shot from the point but Chara had that monster slap shot (in his prime). Xhekaj does have a good shot and not sure how much he will improve it.
* Similar back/forth development at the beginning of the NHL career

Remember, Chara took 7 years to get to this prime (age 19-26) with the Islanders and Sens. Go look up his resume from age 19-26. Then compare that to Xhekaj from 20-23.

Not saying Xhekaj turns into Chara exactly but man, the physical and intimidating presence in the D zone can be similar. Pretty sure the potential is why several GM's are calling us about Xhekaj. They want to buy low before he potentially breaks out.

I sure hope they don't trade him......he is a project of sorts, but we all need to be patient and to your point, the potential is there, to become a force.

That said, if someone wants to overpay then it warrants some consideration.....but I hope we are not like the Sens, and let him slip away like they did with Chara. Again, not saying he will become that player, but there are a ton of similarities.
Hughes is a smart dude, who seems to know what he is doing.....Gorton looking over his shoulder is a good thing also.

The boys love trying to steal the show on draft day so................

 

[Habs Halifax]

I sure hope they don't trade him......he is a project of sorts, but we all need to be patient and to your point, the potential is there, to become a force.

That said, if someone wants to overpay then it warrants some consideration.....but I hope we are not like the Sens, and let him slip away like they did with Chara. Again, not saying he will become that player, but there are a ton of similarities.
Hughes is a smart dude, who seems to know what he is doing.....Gorton looking over his shoulder is a good thing also.

The boys love trying to steal the show on draft day so................

I don't think they will trade him very easily. I read somewhere this past week that the Flames called and whoever reported it, said it better start with their 9th OA pick.

 

[JianYang]

First thing I will say is this is a crazy comparison yes, but chill with the "got cha" game. I do see some parallels

Chara vs Xhekaj.
* Similar height/weight. Chara a bit bigger
* Similar physical/intimidating presence
* Similar skating/mobility for big guys
* Two players you don't want to fight.
* Similar shot from the point but Chara had that monster slap shot (in his prime). Xhekaj does have a good shot and not sure how much he will improve it.
* Similar back/forth development at the beginning of the NHL career

Remember, Chara took 7 years to get to this prime (age 19-26) with the Islanders and Sens. Go look up his resume from age 19-26. Then compare that to Xhekaj from 20-23.

Not saying Xhekaj turns into Chara exactly but man, the physical and intimidating presence in the D zone can be similar. Pretty sure the potential is why several GM's are calling us about Xhekaj. They want to buy low before he potentially breaks out.

Chara was a freak.... hard to find a comparable to him.

A closer comparison might be a former Hab. Sheldon Souray. I doubt he will be as good offensively but I think he has a bomb, nonetheless.

 

[Garbageyuk]

First thing I will say is this is a crazy comparison yes, but chill with the "got cha" game. I do see some parallels

Chara vs Xhekaj.
* Similar height/weight. Chara a bit bigger
* Similar physical/intimidating presence
* Similar skating/mobility for big guys
* Two players you don't want to fight.
* Similar shot from the point but Chara had that monster slap shot (in his prime). Xhekaj does have a good shot and not sure how much he will improve it.
* Similar back/forth development at the beginning of the NHL career

Remember, Chara took 7 years to get to this prime (age 19-26) with the Islanders and Sens. Go look up his resume from age 19-26. Then compare that to Xhekaj from 20-23.

Not saying Xhekaj turns into Chara exactly but man, the physical and intimidating presence in the D zone can be similar. Pretty sure the potential is why several GM's are calling us about Xhekaj. They want to buy low before he potentially breaks out.

This is like comparing David Desharnais and Martin St. Louis based on their first couple seasons.

 

[ryan callahan]

This is like comparing David Desharnais and Martin St. Louis based on their first couple seasons.

Don't worry Xhekaj is like their little princess he can do no wrong.

 

[KevSkillz4]

He is such a underrated player OMG. He is going to be a stud top 4 D to me. He have everything.

 

[rickthegoon]

Can’t wait for the season to start so that when Xhekaj starts crushing opponents in the boards , people will remember why he’s one of our most important players and stop with this nonsense trade/lowball contract talk.

 

[Habs Halifax]

He is such a underrated player OMG. He is going to be a stud top 4 D to me. He have everything.

Bold statements will get laughed at but he's on track to be the next Chara style type player. Yes, I know how it sounds and I know the probability.

* Very Big, Strong, and mobile. Plays nasty and looks for physical confrontation
* Can fight
* Strong shots from the point
* Decent all around game

Probably won't have the top end value Chara had but I see lots of parallels in their style of play.

I hope we pair Xhekaj and Mailloux together next year.

 

[417]

I like Xhekaj, but I don't think I've seen a player whose hype far outweighs his accomplishments quite like he has.

I'm rooting for him, he's got a unique profile, but I still think he's very rough around the edges and i'm not sure how much more growth there is in this player.

I get the "Chara style type player" comment you made @Habs Halifax , is not a direct comparison and more of a stylistic one. But he's got a long way to go for even that.