Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[MarkovsKnee]

6 players got -2 from the 2 empty netters against Detroit, just to show how bad of a stats the +/- is. Guhle being one of them if i'm not mistaken

They should definitely take ENGs out of the +/- stat like they do with PP/PK. It's essentially a specialty team moment and should be tracked differently.

 

[Captain Mountain]

They should definitely take ENGs out of the +/- stat like they do with PP/PK. It's essentially a specialty team moment and should be tracked differently.

That's just ES goal differential with shorthanded goals included for some reason.

+/- just hasn't been an irrelevant stat for over 15 years, we're better off just ignoring it.

 

[Skip Bayless]

This is a funny story, but I heard from somewhere that he actually worked at Costco back in the day.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Interference penalty was a result a the freaking bad turnover from Drouin.

Anyone would have done the same thing, that was more Drouin fault.

I still think they should try him on the PP, he would be more dangerous than Wideman, with his shot, and he's also good to keep the puck inside the opponent's zone.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Yeah, give him some PP time so he can use that booming shot from the point

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Yeah, give him some PP time so he can use that booming shot from the point

Yeah, Guhle would be good too, but Xhekaj has a more powerful shot.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[domiwroze]

They should definitely take ENGs out of the +/- stat like they do with PP/PK. It's essentially a specialty team moment and should be tracked differently.

It's not completly out of the PP and PK either.

Let's say team A is on PP and team B on PK. If team B scores, all 5 players of the A will get -1, while the 4 player of team B will get +1.

 

[zzoo]

Xhekaj has taken way too much penalties. I don't like that.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Xhekaj has taken way too much penalties. I don't like that.

The last one he took, was Drouin's fault.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Xhekaj has taken way too much penalties. I don't like that.

Get used to it.

 

[yianik]

This is a funny story, but I heard from somewhere that he actually worked at Costco back in the day.

It's 100% true. Think it was 2 years ago with the Covid there was no place for him to play.

Bottom pair TOI but it's being going up since game 1.

I hope the best for him obviously, and for a long career with the Habs, but I really hope he banks his money at the start.

 

[jrom]

Xhekaj has taken way too much penalties. I don't like that.

I think the saying is “I’d rather try to tame a tiger then paint stripes on a cat”.

He will learn but it comes with the physicality he brings.

Next game is vs the Coyotes with Zach Kassian, curious to see if there is still lingering bad blood.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Xhekaj has taken way too much penalties. I don't like that.

What’s next? You don’t like how hard he shoots a puck?

 

[MXD]

Xhekaj has taken way too much penalties. I don't like that.

That's because he's still super raw.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Xhekaj has taken way too much penalties. I don't like that.

I'd rather him take penalties than draw penalties, so we don't have to watch our powerplay.

 

[BaseballCoach]

X is clearly not ready for the NHL. He belongs in Laval or Hamilton.

LOL, a double overage 21 year old Junior that turns 22 during the year.

 

[Habby4Life]

LOL, a double overage 21 year old Junior that turns 22 during the year.

Lol, he isn’t ready and should be in Laval. You ok now?

 

[BaseballCoach]

Lol, he isn’t ready and should be in Laval. You ok now?

He is in our top 6 right now, but after Eddie and Matheson return, it is conceivable that Xhekaj could be sent down. But he might improve before we get there.

 

[Habby4Life]

He is in our top 6 right now, but after Eddie and Matheson return, it is conceivable that Xhekaj could be sent down. But he might improve before we get there.

He’s gone when Eddie, Matheson or they acquire another D. It’s clear he isn’t ready.

 

[BaseballCoach]

He’s gone when Eddie, Matheson or they acquire another D. It’s clear he isn’t ready.

Jakehx is better than Wideman right now. So in my books, two guys coming back pushes him to #7 unless he improves past Kovacevic, and MSL is willing to play Harris and one other lefty on the right side.

Needless to say, none of the three rookies should be a #7.

 

[Kennerback]

Jakehx is better than Wideman right now. So in my books, two guys coming back pushes him to #7 unless he improves past Kovacevic, and MSL is willing to play Harris and one other lefty on the right side.

Needless to say, none of the three rookies should be a #7.

I don’t know Xhekaj is going anywhere. I’ve got the feeling this management always want muscle on the team. He’s the only option.

 

[Habby4Life]

Jakehx is better than Wideman right now. So in my books, two guys coming back pushes him to #7 unless he improves past Kovacevic, and MSL is willing to play Harris and one other lefty on the right side.

Needless to say, none of the three rookies should be a #7.

Unfortunately, he isn’t. If they want him to improve he needs to be sent down.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Unfortunately, he isn’t. If they want him to improve he needs to be sent down.

He will improve more by staying up, but if he can't hold a top-6 spot, he must go down even though he will learn more slowly playing against top players like Laurent Dauphin, while being mentored by Madison Bowey, and coached by JF Houle.

However, if Arber can stay ahead of Wideman and improve just enough to pass Kovacevic, he would still be top-6 even after Eddy and Matheson are back. This is the NHL. You don't demote your #6 defenceman in order to bring up a journeyman #8.

The only other way he gets demoted is if Barron plays lights out and is newly considered top-6 in the whole organization ahead of Xhekaj.