Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[JadedRandom]

great sequence on his assist. Didn't watch but nice that he's producing to go along with the meanness.

How's he looking otherwise?

Good, but still pretty raw. His reads in the defensive zone are okay right now, and he processes the game fast enough, but there's still lots that he could improve there, like learning to anticipate passing/shooting lanes better.

And he is a little overaggressive on his pinches when trying to keep puck possession along the boards.

He also has yet to adapt to the speed of NHL forwards coming down the sides, as the timing on his pivots (which are good, but could get faster still) when defending odd-man rushes is often "off" despite good overall skating ability.

Then you add in some inaccuracy on some passes, and a general lack of poise when he's carrying the puck on his stick when pressured in the defensive zone, also the fact that Xhekaj lacks advanced passing/handling skills, and you start to see a clearer picture.

As of now, Xhekaj is a third-pairing defenseman with old-school toughness, that skates well for his size, and that owns interesting but still underdeveloped skills across the board.

The thing is though, that two years ago Xhekaj wasn't on anyone's radar in the OHL nevermind the NHL, and now he's good enough to be a third-pairing NHL d-man, which marks staggering improvement over a short period of time.

Then you add in the fact that he continues to improve after each game in the NHL, and it is clear to see that the guy is on an ascending slope. One that could, if he continues improving as he's done the last two years, lead him to becoming a true top-4 NHL defenseman in a couple of years. Or not, it remains to be seen.

So yeah, all in all Xhekaj is looking pretty good. So do Guhle and Harris.

 

[RationalExpectations]

great sequence on his assist. Didn't watch but nice that he's producing to go along with the meanness.

How's he looking otherwise?

He makes defensive mistakes but less than you would expect from a guy who went undrafted and is playing his first NHL games. He is tough aggressive and gets involved offensively. He is learning quick.

If he continues to develop like this, you could see him top 4 one day. But even if he were to correct a few mistakes only I d say he would be a very good bottom pair option for a playoff team. Good think old management found him

 

[BLONG7]

He makes defensive mistakes but less than you would expect from a guy who went undrafted and is playing his first NHL games. He is tough aggressive and gets involved offensively. He is learning quick.

If he continues to develop like this, you could see him top 4 one day. But even if he were to correct a few mistakes only I d say he would be a very good bottom pair option for a playoff team. Good think old management found him

He has done alot of things very well, and after the fight, now a goal.... boy is he a fan fave.........laying out hits....
Developing nicely but there are some tough decisions ahead....
Eddy is back soon........I think they put Wideman upstairs...The Sherriff needs to stay in the lineup.

 

[xX SEYF Xx]

Cons: rookie mistakes in positioning and anticipation, nothing he cant learn, maybe some emotions management too
Pros: too long list I'm lazy to write

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Armia is well worth his salary when given role. Last time he had a role was in the spring(WC). Dominated and won the the gold. Before that 19-20. Lol, even more than minute EV + PP TOI, Anderson still hasn't had a better season than Joel 19-20.

Armia is useless and no one can convince my eyes otherwise, I’ve seen enough. Not a guy I would ever want if I was building a team. Anderson brings SOOO much more to the table it’s not even close.

 

[rik schau]

My bad! I saw the Clapton Album and thought I was in the music thread.

Most of the younger generation absolutely know who Marley is though........He is as recognizable as Elvis and is certainly listened to by the youth far more than Elvis.

One thing for sure is Elvis was/is known globally since forever,even before the internet .Marley,depending where in the world one hails from,was not know globally as Elvis,but who cares anyways now.lol

 

[BaseballCoach]

Armia is useless and no one can convince my eyes otherwise, I’ve seen enough. Not a guy I would ever want if I was building a team. Anderson brings SOOO much more to the table it’s not even close.

Armia at his best is a 3rd-4th liner.
Anderson at his best is a 2nd-3rd liner.

Finally, Armia was farther from his best last year than Anderson.

If we HAD to use Armia in a 4th line/PK role it would not be a tragedy on the ice, but he would be overpaid, and we already have Gallagher and Savard overpaid for more than 2 years. Also, Gallagher provides some inspiration and Savard is a RHD which we are short of. Money aside, strictly on the ice and in the room, Armia's contribution is more easily replaced.

 

[MilesNewton]

He has done alot of things very well, and after the fight, now a goal.... boy is he a fan fave.........laying out hits....
Developing nicely but there are some tough decisions ahead....
Eddy is back soon........I think they put Wideman upstairs...The Sherriff needs to stay in the lineup.

Need to see some more games out of him, he is still learning the system. Playing in A considering how long the season is wouldn't hurt him at all I believe. He is still pretty raw and decision making ability. could have cost more goals, next few games should be interesting.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Xhekaj show more in 6 games than Romanov in 2 years with Habs.

Can't be sent down, he need to play all season in NHL.

Happy to have him on my team!!

 

[BaseballCoach]

He reminds me of a lefthanded Komisarek with his physical domination... But contrary to Komisarek, he can fight, which makes him special... Now, if we could find another Markov...

No comparison. Arber is a much better skater than Komisarek, and has a much better shot than Komisarek. Also he is a better fighter.

Other than those three things, they have similar height.

 

[rik schau]

Need to see some more games out of him, he is still learning the system.

I would say he's doing better than most expected,but he has to learn not not get sucked in at times,like with Benn.

 

[cphabs]

I would say he's doing better than most expected,but he has to learn not not get sucked in at times,like with Benn.

He will!

Kid is becoming my favorite player! The whole package. Including how he ended up in the NHL. Fantastic!

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

One thing for sure is Elvis was/is known globally since forever,even before the internet .Marley,depending where in the world one hails from,was not know globally as Elvis,but who cares anyways now.lol

Not remotely true as Marley was much bigger than Elvis in Africa as well as most of the world outside of North America. Ask any kid today to name one Elvis song and one Marley song, the result will be grossly in Marley's favour.

 

[The Real Timo]

Shouldn't label change from Prospect Info to Player Discussion?

 

[Destopcorner]

No comparison. Arber is a much better skater than Komisarek, and has a much better shot than Komisarek. Also he is a better fighter.

Other than those three things, they have simiilar height.

I agree expect on the skating part. X probably outskate Komisarek on a straight line but thats it. Mike had great reverse wheels and especially the same deceptive lateral movement as Romanov to close the blueline in miliseconds. Arber will never be anywhere close to em in that department. Crazy how the rest of his game is already better than those 2... his shot blocking abilities and defensive reads will get better in time.

 

[MilesNewton]

I would say he's doing better than most expected,but he has to learn not not get sucked in at times,like with Benn.

Benn also played his best game of the season to date last night.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Arber stays, he gives something the others can't offer and more, let the others go to Laval, and also the fans loves him.

 

[CanadienShark]

Kinda wish Coaches Corner was still around, Cherry would f***ing love him.

Imagine him trying to pronounce it.

 

[Redux91]

Imagine him trying to pronounce it.

 

[MilesNewton]

Arber stays, he gives something the others can't offer and more, let the others go to Laval, and also the fans loves him.

He did get schooled by Benn big time, He was able to goad him into engaging him behind his own net and that led to like a four on two for Dallas and Esa scored. Not a great move on his part but again he learned from it

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

He did get schooled by Benn big time, He was able to goad him into engaging him behind his own net and that led to like a four on two for Dallas and Esa scored. Not a great move on his part but again he learned from it

Where were the forwards? all watching him scramble with Benn lol, and all on the same side, it's more normal for a Dman to back check behind his net, don't you think, and if it wasn't for Arber, forget about the 2 goals.

 

[MTL-rules]

No comparison. Arber is a much better skater than Komisarek, and has a much better shot than Komisarek. Also he is a better fighter.

Other than those three things, they have simiilar height.

Wow, the hate is real... Komisarek at 21 was actually a much better prospect. Their skating at the same age is actually very similar ... I agree with the shot, but we can go back to the old theads and see all the love Komisarek was getting on this board... Him leaving for Toronto really broke some posters hearts and it's still showing.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Wow, the hate is real... Komisarek at 21 was actually a much better prospect. Their skating at the same age is actually very similar ... I agree with the shot, but we can go back to the old theads and see all the love Komisarek was getting on this board... Him leaving for Toronto really broke some posters hearts and it's still showing.

Markov made him look better than his giveaway tendencies would have allowed. He left in his prime 27 years old, and could not make a mark in Toronto.

It's not hate to say that his real role was a solid #5 NHL D. That's still better than most hockey players.

 

[HabzSauce]

He's the most obvious guy to send down.....and yet he's the toughest. Easiest 'cause there are still things to learn. He could rack more minutes in the AHL etc...but the tougheset 'cause he CLEARLY is a player's favorite and he could very well be a target for AHL'ers in need to make a name for themselves......So....do you send Harris down? And yet, Harris is quietly being efficient right now. Or...do you trade Eddy?

We gotta trade eddy hands down.

Worst case when eddy comes back, he plays RD so that we don't have to send Xhakej down. And then at TDL trade eddy for whatever you can get

 

[The Great Weal]

He's the most obvious guy to send down.....and yet he's the toughest. Easiest 'cause there are still things to learn. He could rack more minutes in the AHL etc...but the tougheset 'cause he CLEARLY is a player's favorite and he could very well be a target for AHL'ers in need to make a name for themselves......So....do you send Harris down? And yet, Harris is quietly being efficient right now. Or...do you trade Eddy?

I'm on board with trading Eddy but I don't see that happening. It's getting annoying how much time he's missing and we would get a great haul for him, especially at 50% retention.