Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Leto]

The problem is sooner or later someone is going to run one of our star players.
It's really not a question of if it's a question of when.
Ideally he's on the ice and can react taking a two at most but getting a message across to both teams.
Unfortunately he's far more likely to be on the bench so if someone else doesn't step in can he let it go?
The retaliation when it's two shifts later is always going get cracked down on hard.

His teammates are putting him in a terrible spot by not responding. If anything, the other teams will try to exploit it and take him out of the game. Management needs to get a guy to share the load.​

 

[Naslundforever]

Cammalleri led the entire playoff in goals that year. You only need two or three fingers to count how many other players in the history of the league scored more goals in the playoffs than cammalleri in 2010 without reaching the final.

It was a historic run for cammalleri but completely overshadowed by the heroics of halak.

I always thought the Halak love was overrated. Habs barely played hockey, they just collapsed in the slot and gave 50 shots from the blue a game it was pathetic; and it’s a goalie’s dream. Then Cammalleri would get the puck somehow and shoot 50%. I was at a few of those games it was exciting but almost funny.

 

[Rapala]

His teammates are putting him in a terrible spot by not responding. If anything, the other teams will try to exploit it and take him out of the game. Management needs to get a guy to share the load.​

A lot of teams use the get in their face strategy against Montreal. That mentality coming in will potentially lead to more bad hits it just will.
We are playing in a league where legal hits can spark a heavy reaction so when a bad hit goes unchallenged it looks horribly soft.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

There's a chance he's "sent down" because of cap reasons, so get ready to read idiotic takes.

 

[The Real Timo]

There's a chance he's "sent down" because of cap reasons, so get ready to read idiotic takes.

I got my takes ready to go.

 

[Rapala]

There's a chance he's "sent down" because of cap reasons, so get ready to read idiotic takes.

I got my takes ready to go.

I could give a rats ass but the shit that was posted by supposedly discerning Habs fans sent me for a loop.
I should know better than to engage in that cesspool.

 

[Deebs]

I hated so much D's in Habs uniform because of their bad transition. Xhekaj have a great transition. Great hands. Great shot. He is a good passer.

I really like his game, he isn't just a fighter//hitter. He is a very good hockey player aswell!!

Unfortunately he's a defensive liability at the moment. His agility is still an issue as well as his positioning. Nobody gets caught running around trying to make a hit more than Arber. Imo, he's definitely behind Struble for that bottom left side pairing.

 

[Captain97]

I know +/- isn't the best stat, but he was second on the team last year. He can't be as bad defensively as People seem to think

 

[Tyson]

U

I know +/- isn't the best stat, but he was second on the team last year. He can't be as bad defensively as People seem to think

He has upside and will continue improving. He is probably a bottom pairing D which is a good thing.

 

[rickthegoon]

I think people are sleeping on X's ability to play the game. He'll never be a star, but his mobility and puck skills are rare for a guy whose most noticeable trait is his toughness.

And his ability to get hard shots to the net are also greatly under appreciated on this board. The kid is the unicorn.
How many guys in the league have this size, mean streak,protective instinct,confidence and a 107 mph slapshot? Easy answer : 1 and he’s ours.

 

[Guy Larose]

Unfortunately he's a defensive liability at the moment. His agility is still an issue as well as his positioning. Nobody gets caught running around trying to make a hit more than Arber. Imo, he's definitely behind Struble for that bottom left side pairing.

At the moment? Wasn't +5 in the pre-season?

 

[Deebs]

At the moment? Wasn't +5 in the pre-season?

You put a lot of stock into he preseason?

I like Arber, I really do. My issue is if he's going to be a bottom pairing guy, he needs to get so much better in his own end. He's constantly out of position....this needs to improve significantly. He has two years to get his game in order to be an everyday NHL'er....imo of course.

 

[Guy Larose]

You put a lot of stock into he preseason?

I like Arber, I really do. My issue is if he's going to be a bottom pairing guy, he needs to get so much better in his own end. He's constantly out of position....this needs to improve significantly. He has two years to get his game in order to be an everyday NHL'er....imo of course.

None. But you said at the moment, I didn't.

 

[Rapala]

I know +/- isn't the best stat, but he was second on the team last year. He can't be as bad defensively as People seem to think

He isn't his mistakes tend to get magnified because he is under far more scrutiny than Struble who does make mistake too.
Other than having to respond to POS hits his camp was fairly tidy IMO.

 

[morhilane]

I know +/- isn't the best stat, but he was second on the team last year. He can't be as bad defensively as People seem to think

He was the most sheltered D last year, by a lot.

 

[Rapala]

He was the most sheltered D last year, by a lot.

So third pairing...
How was Barron in the sheltered department.

 

[Tyson]

He was the most sheltered D last year, by a lot.

Bottom pairing D are usually the most sheltered...

 

[morhilane]

So third pairing...
How was Barron in the sheltered department.

Kovacevic had around the same TOI as Xhekaj per game, but he was used as a shutdown D (against weaker opposition). Struble was used similar to Kovacevic, but played more minutes.

Xhekaj was mostly deployed in the ozone against week strength of opposition.

Barron faced average strength of opposition and played ~3 minutes more than Xhekaj per games.

Xhekaj was less sheltered when he came back from the AHL, let see if that holds up this year.

 

[Rapala]

Kovacevic had around the same TOI as Xhekaj per game, but he was used as a shutdown D (against weaker opposition). Struble was used similar to Kovacevic, but played more minutes.

Xhekaj was mostly deployed in the ozone against week strength of opposition.

Barron faced average strength of opposition and played ~3 minutes more than Xhekaj per games.

Xhekaj was less sheltered when he came back from the AHL, let see if that holds up this year.

Good point he also played some of his best and most consistent hockey after he returned.
It's important because I do think there will be some games his pairing will have to step up if Hutson/Savard get swamped.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Am I correct in thinking he is waiver exempt this year until he plays his 65th game?

Good point he also played some of his best and most consistent hockey after he returned.
It's important because I do think there will be some games his pairing will have to step up if Hutson/Savard get swamped.

Agreed. He played much better after his stint in the AHL last year. And Barron has looked improved as well. Good that the AHL team is functioning well in developing young players. I could see Xhekaj needing another stretch in Laval this season if he struggles.

 

[Rapala]

Am I correct in thinking he is waiver exempt this year until he plays his 65th game?


Agreed. He played much better after his stint in the AHL last year. And Barron has looked improved as well. Good that the AHL team is functioning well in developing young players. I could see Xhekaj needing another stretch in Laval this season if he struggles.

That would surprise me.
I think he's got a good head on his shoulders and is working out exactly who he has to be and how he has to play to stay up.

 

[morhilane]

Am I correct in thinking he is waiver exempt this year until he plays his 65th game?

yes

 

[Adriatic]

I thank god everyday he's with the Habs.

 

[CAUFIELD]

Xhekaj is living rent free in the leafs Pre-game thread discussion. They are pissed that they have to dress Reaves just in case.

I honestly don’t want Xhekaj to fight Reaves. Xhekaj is more important to us long term than fighting unidimensional heavyweights.

It’s just interesting to see the deterrent impact Xhekaj is having on other teams, while not even being at is peak yet.

 

[Frankenheimer]

One of the best enforcers in the league and a solid contributing player. He's played less than a 100 games and shown decent offense. Very lucky to have him. And I have no doubt he can control himself if needed. He's a smart guy.