Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Vachon23]

Except meaner and better

He has a lot to work to get at Chairot level though

 

[Habano]

He's a dangerous fighter. He doesn't care if he gets hit so long as he hits you harder. Most fighters try not to get hit. All Xman cares about is hitting the other guy. All offense.

^^This.

Here's a game in which The Sheriff shows us some of the tools in his arsenal.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

He was fairly solid in the Scrimmage today.

 

[Kimota]

I love how some jumped the gun so quickly to calling him a goon just cause he could hit and fight. The guy has some serious skills.

 

[Goldenhands]

I have Jack-eye ranked 2nd after Guhle at that point when it comes to defensemen and I think he is pretty close to Guhle, his progression curve has been outstanding last 2 yrs.

 

[jaffy27]

I have Jack-eye ranked 2nd after Guhle at that point when it comes to defensemen and I think he is pretty close to Guhle, his progression curve has been outstanding last 2 yrs.

I know you have an eye for talent so I’m pretty pumped when i hear this.

Bergevin’s TRUE Diamond in the Rough

 

[Runner77]

I know you have an eye for talent so I’m pretty pumped when i hear this.

Bergevin’s TRUE Diamond in the Rough

Bergevin never understood the meaning of that expression as he used it in reference to Weber, which made no sense whatsoever.

However, glad he did sign that one guy who is totally emblematic of it.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I love how some jumped the gun so quickly to calling him a goon just cause he could hit and fight. The guy has some serious skills.

Larry Robinson was not hyped much until around Xhekaj's age.

I'm not expecting a HoF defenceman, of course. I'm hoping Xhekaj is a slightly better version of Romanov.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Larry Robinson was not hyped much until around Xhekaj's age.

I'm not expecting a HoF defenceman, of course. I'm hoping Xhekaj is a slightly better version of Romanov.

I like Xhekaj alot but Robinson was the 20th overall selection in the draft.....he was raw but there were big hopes for him.

 

[Timelord]

I like Xhekaj alot but Robinson was the 20th overall selection in the draft.....he was raw but there were big hopes for him.

Robinson was drafted as a a 19 year old, spent 1.5 years in the AHL and (this last one is a neutral point as it applies to prospects back then) there was no internet available so he really did come out of nowhere for most fans.
I saw him in one of his first NHL games live at the Forum and I didn't even know his name. I do remember him that first time vividly though because of his size and speed combination were incredible (much like Slaf is so noticeable) so I could see why scouts would be hopeful, to your point. But if there was a story about him in the papers, my dad and I must have missed it.

Also the talent pool was a lot smaller back then with almost exclusively Canadian players. 20th over all in 1971 is like 60th nowadays.

 

[jrom]

I love how some jumped the gun so quickly to calling him a goon just cause he could hit and fight. The guy has some serious skills.

he was named on the Memorial Cup all-star team. Yes as an overager but still, not just a goon.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

The Habs has no d-man like Xhekaj, one that is big, can hit, can scare, and also contribute offensively, a bit like a Tom Wilson at defense.

​

 

[rik schau]

The Habs has no d-man like Xhekaj, one that is big, can hit, can scare, and also contribute offensively, a bit like a Tom Wilson at defense.

​

From what I've seen,he's looking good but needs to find when to pick his spots.

 

[HuGort]

He should make team now the Edmundton injured

 

[BenchBrawl]

Robinson was drafted as a forward.

 

[Vachon23]

he’s starting to become massively overrated..

Can we wait before we play real game before putting him that high ?

 

[rickthegoon]

he’s starting to become massively overrated..

Can we wait before we play real game before putting him that high ?

Probably because he was almost unknown to most people not long ago.
I think that most people ( like me) are more hopeful than actually overrating him.
The kid has a very rare set of tools, and if the organization can help the kid polish his game, we would have a real .
And hey ! Everyone loves an underdog

 

[Jared Dunn]

Larry Robinson was not hyped much until around Xhekaj's age.

I'm not expecting a HoF defenceman, of course. I'm hoping Xhekaj is a slightly better version of Romanov.

If he only winds up as good as Romanov is today and offers the mean streak we're seeing I think Habs should be absolutely jumping for joy. Even having him as a bottom pairing situational guy would be nice as none of the other upcoming D seem overly physical

 

[Vachon23]

Probably because he was almost unknown to most people not long ago.
I think that most people ( like me) are more hopeful than actually overrating him.
The kid has a very rare set of tools, and if the organization can help the kid polish his game, we would have a real .
And hey ! Everyone loves an underdog

Maybe not you but I see Larry Robinson name in the discussions or his name in the top 4 for this season or that he’s as good as Guhle. We need to chill out with him.. yes he got nice tools but he got a lot of things to work.

 

[Goldenhands]

he’s starting to become massively overrated..

Can we wait before we play real game before putting him that high ?

Thats the opposite, he has been massively underrated for too long.

 

[MarkJ]

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Wow Jack Eye!

 

[morhilane]

wrong thread

 

[Mrb1p]

he’s starting to become massively overrated..

Can we wait before we play real game before putting him that high ?

Yeah, I can agree with this. Its typical Habs hype, happens all the time.

 

[Sagikev]

he’s starting to become massively overrated..

Can we wait before we play real game before putting him that high ?

Nah he's a mix of Orr, Karlsson, Weber, Hedman and Burns (all in their prime). He's rightfullyrated.