Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[HabsAddict]

As for anyone who whines about "violence" and our players protecting themselves, you can move along and watch synchronized swimming or bowling. This team has a history of being tough. Only the last 30 years have we softened, maybe by intent to appease the skinny jean crowd.

Obviously you never saw our lions in winter maul the competition if they had to....and own the Promised Land

 

[Prairie Habs]

Arber is getting cooked on X today. Oooof…Coming from all corners of hockey commentary. Some even implied he turtled. Lol

I'm not on Twitter, I assume it looks like this?

"MSL needs to keep this psycho under control. They need to play the right way and make them pay on the (non-existant) power play so that they could try and win the meaningless pre-season game, then DoPS will take care of the (non-existent) suspension to a player thats way less important or not in the NHL at all. Maybe, if anything, he could fight the other team's goon at that start of the next game in a predetermined fight that means nothing."

 

[Canadienna]

One thing I will say, the refs will be looking to get Xhekaj for everything now. His name is in all the hockey news today. Similar to Rempe last year.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Arber is getting cooked on X today. Oooof…Coming from all corners of hockey commentary. Some even implied he turtled. Lol

Deplorable.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

He’s an undisputed leader on this club already, as he’s proven many times now that he will take it upon himself to make the other team accountable. You can tell he has a ton of respect from the rest of his teammates.

As many folks have already mentioned, this is a common theme in Habs history. Those that don’t approve of Xhekaj, would have hated John Ferguson. He wouldn’t even speak to the opposition away from the rink, and would go through a player, a wall, beat up some orphans it didn’t matter… and if not for him telling Bobby Clarke to take care of Kharlamov, the Canadians probably lose to the Russians in 72. He would do anything and everything to win, and that’s what he did, won championships.

This is how team identities are created. We finally have a guy that will hold folks accountable if the proverbial line in the sand gets crossed. When that culture of all for one, one for all, takes root, then teams take that next step. Look at those great Habs teams from the 70s - no shrinking violets there. Robinson, Savard, Gainey, Lemaire, Lupien, Risebrough, Tremblay, Jarvis.

I’ve been around a long time, this feels like the birth of something special. Like one player is taking the team by the bootstraps and pulling them into the battle. Of course his current violent streak is unsustainable, but he’s put the league on notice. And you better believe they’re paying attention! Our guys as well - Slaf and Dach getting into it, sticking up for themselves the past two games. It feels like a major culture shift. These guys aren’t the Milquetoast Habs of past years and I’m happy it’s finally looking to end.

 

[Team_Spirit]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841685592536437168

 

[Pickles]

I love the fact that he pisses off Leaf and Sen fans so much. It's really nice to see him stand up for his teammates the way he did. We haven't had that in quite a while. Sure, we had enforcers like Parros and Big George Laraque, but neither of those guys really stepped up and defended their teammates the way the Sheriff did the last two games. Not to mention, the kid has talent. The fact that he didn't get a suspension on that beautiful Stutzle hit is bound to trigger Sens fans ,

 

[Habssince89]

He'd be the first to tell you that picking his moments is something he's working on. But let's not forget this is preseason, this is absolutely the time to take costly penalties and establish your threat level because the games are essentially meaningless. I have no doubt we will see a more in control Xhekaj during the regular season when the games actually matter.

Yes this is what I'm driving at. I get what he's doing, but he better have discipline when it matters

 

[Le Tricolore]

Sorry but the game isn't changing because you think it's stupid. Hockey has been this way since it's inception.

Hockey also used to be really cool with players smoking in the room and showing up to camp out of shape. Things can and should change.

Edit: it's 4:30 am and I had to wake up after just a few hours sleep so my examples may not be great but I'm just saying things can change for the better. Unfortunately the NHL is run by idiots who have shown time and time again that they don't care at all about player safety.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Codes are absolutely stupid. The league has rules and has the ability to suspend players who don't respect them.


Letting the players police themselves is some real 1950s crap that every needs to be moved on from.

It wont because reffing isn't perfect and will never be.

Hockey is a particular sport, incited towards physicality and violence to some degree. Hitting and injuries are huge momentum swings, and when those things go unpunished by the officiating, players take matters into their own hands because it could have a psychological impact on the team long term.

I know the trend of fighting because of clean hits seems dumb, but a big clean hit is demoralizing too. Players just want to even the score at all times. It's not just a game of goals.

I'm not saying I'm for or against it, but it's not a simple thing to just cut it out of the game because it "belongs in the 1950s". It's not entirely a cultural thing.

 

[Natey]

As long as hitting is a part of the game - late his will happen. Xhekaj's hit was late, but otherwise clean. I don't really buy into a blindside hit when you're skating towards the blueline towards two defenseman.

Xhekaj, who has not solidified being an every day player, is not going to let up while trying to still earn that spot.

Maybe the NHL should rethink preseason and how to best do it. I get location is a big factor, but having rivals playing multiple games back to back, with players trying to make a name for themselves, is always going to be fiesty.

I'm a person who really doesn't like fighting in the game. It doesn't really add anything to me except the chance of a broken hand, etc. But I love big hits and think it's an important part of the game. While I wish Xhekaj's hit was a second earlier, I don't see how it's any different than the Greig hit. They should be interference penalties cause that's what they are.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

As long as hitting is a part of the game - late his will happen. Xhekaj's hit was late, but otherwise clean. I don't really buy into a blindside hit when you're skating towards the blueline towards two defenseman.

Xhekaj, who has not solidified being an every day player, is not going to let up while trying to still earn that spot.

Maybe the NHL should rethink preseason and how to best do it. I get location is a big factor, but having rivals playing multiple games back to back, with players trying to make a name for themselves, is always going to be fiesty.

I'm a person who really doesn't like fighting in the game. It doesn't really add anything to me except the chance of a broken hand, etc. But I love big hits and think it's an important part of the game. While I wish Xhekaj's hit was a second earlier, I don't see how it's any different than the Greig hit. They should be interference penalties cause that's what they are.

You’re fortunate then, the PWHL has a franchise in Mtl. & they don’t allow fighting, it’s fine. lol.

The QMJHL leadership also has their knickers in a knot over fisticuffs…….as a season ticket holder I can tell you there’s an increase in dirty stick work & false courage, knowing they don’t have to back anything up…..since they’ve outlawed fighting. I guess it comes down to what style you like more C. Lemieux/Lapierre or A Xhekaj/C Nilan
Cheers

 

[Rapala]

Btw, MSL did entice Pezz to go after Grieg. Clear as day on the tv broadcast. He litterally told him to go after Grieg.

Arber took the Nilan route. Du hockey comme dans le temps d’Eddie Shore!

I love Habs Land.
Let's give the Sheriff a commercial slot vaunting his reputation as an enforcer...
And then go out and scorch him when he does his job.
Can't make this stuff up.

 

[Tyson]

I love Habs Land.
Let's give the Sheriff a commercial slot vaunting his reputation as an enforcer...
And then go out and scorch him when he does his job.
Can't make this stuff up.

Only in Habs land.
If we didn't have Xhekaj, we fans would be envious wishing "we had a player like him"

 

[Leto]

Only in Habs land.
If we didn't have Xhekaj, we fans would be envious wishing "we had a player like him"

The spotlight should be on the cowards who couldn't be bothered to react when the injuries happened on the ice. Look at Kucherov yesterday, Hedman gets (legally) hit and he react immediately. That's a real teammate.​

 

[Tyson]

The spotlight should be on the cowards who couldn't be bothered to react when the injuries happened on the ice. Look at Kucherov yesterday, Hedman gets (legally) hit and he react immediately. That's a real teammate.​

That's why I want Anderson gone, he was right there when Laine was clipped. Sick of individuals like this.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Yes this is what I'm driving at. I get what he's doing, but he better have discipline when it matters

Yeah, he can go off the rails when we have reinforcements. Right now, he’s all we got.

I don’t see that changing soon. The next set of changes are:
Evans, Armia, Dvorak -> Beck, Heineman, Kapanen

We have to wait for:
Gallagher, Anderson -> Tuch, F Xhekaj, Sawyer

I see an Anderson trade and Gally buyout before next season.

 

[Rapala]

As long as hitting is a part of the game - late his will happen. Xhekaj's hit was late, but otherwise clean. I don't really buy into a blindside hit when you're skating towards the blueline towards two defenseman.

Xhekaj, who has not solidified being an every day player, is not going to let up while trying to still earn that spot.

Maybe the NHL should rethink preseason and how to best do it. I get location is a big factor, but having rivals playing multiple games back to back, with players trying to make a name for themselves, is always going to be fiesty.

I'm a person who really doesn't like fighting in the game. It doesn't really add anything to me except the chance of a broken hand, etc. But I love big hits and think it's an important part of the game. While I wish Xhekaj's hit was a second earlier, I don't see how it's any different than the Greig hit. They should be interference penalties cause that's what they are.

I hate those hits I always have and I always will.
An obvious blindside check needs to be called a major every time it should be in the rule book five and a game no exceptions.
When any major penalty is not properly enforced the refs lose control. I've seen it over and over and over again.

 

[Tyson]

Scott Sabourin is available...just sayin

I hate those hits I always have and I always will.
An obvious blindside check needs to be called a major every time it should be in the rule book five and a game no exceptions.
When any major penalty is not properly enforced the refs lose control. I've seen it over and over and over again.

David Booth and Marc Savard were blindsided and it ended their careers. These types of hits have one onjective...to hurt or injure.

 

[The Real Timo]

One thing I will say, the refs will be looking to get Xhekaj for everything now. His name is in all the hockey news today. Similar to Rempe last year.

Maybe he can lose it on refs one day

 

[Paddyjack]

Only in Habs land.
If we didn't have Xhekaj, we fans would be envious wishing "we had a player like him"

I love Xhekaj, but no matter the player, I'm not a fan of that kind of hit. Take him out clean on the board. Hard. Make him hurt and think of his momma. I want the other teams afraid of going close to the board. But open ice hits where 95% of the time you get a major for it is not useful.

 

[CharleyHorse]

Arber is getting cooked on X today. Oooof…Coming from all corners of hockey commentary. Some even implied he turtled. Lol

X, the grand arena of intellectual heavyweights. Half the people on there can't remember to take their meds, and the other half haven't figured out they need them yet!

 

[Tyson]

I love Xhekaj, but no matter the player, I'm not a fan of that kind of hit. Take him out clean on the board. Hard. Make him hurt and think of his momma. I want the other teams afraid of going close to the board. But open ice hits where 95% of the time you get a major for it is not useful.

I never advocate for hitting vulnerable players BUT if a guy like Ridley Greig in a pre season game blindsides a top 6 forward then sadly it becomes a game of an eye for an eye. One of the issues I see is how easily refs allow games to get out of hand.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Some time ago, probably in a rumor period (july 1st or TDL), I added Hockey30 to my notifications by mistake. On my phone. Since then it's been a barrage of silly clickbait headlines completely based on an idiot's 'interpretation' of events. Mostly always trying to brew shit in habsland. It's like the Habs version of the National Inquire. Even worst, it's written in a very poor French.

Today was the day I finally decided to make the effort of scrolling the notification list to remove that bullshit forever.

The headline was something along the lines of "it's finally over between Xhekaj and Saint-Louis".

 

[TennisMenace]

Anyone who is upset with The Sheriff and would like to see him demoted clearly to me is lacking wisdom and can’t see the big picture. The Sheriff being on the team is a restrainer for opposing teams to take aggressive runs at our stars and smaller players. Someone has to be the enforcer to deter that kind of behavior. Today, The Sheriff is the Chosen One. Let him be…..I’m sure when it counts he will be more discreet. Celebrate The Sheriff….he’s a blessing, not a curse.