Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[26Mats]

Won't happen IMO, but who knows.

Hard to see them sending Harris down, and I don't see the need to send Xhekaj down.

 

[aresknights]

I know it's too early, but Arber's style reminds me of Chris Pronger, future will tell, if i'm right, still think Arber should play on the PP, Wideman is useless, at least Arber has a good shot and he shoots on the net.

Just no. I love the kids potential n story and posted as much back to his unsigned invite to camp but no. That's a HOF Norris winner.
That bar is too high for a comparison now.

 

[Adriatic]

I know it's too early, but Arber's style reminds me of Chris Pronger, future will tell, if i'm right, still think Arber should play on the PP, Wideman is useless, at least Arber has a good shot and he shoots on the net.

Say what???

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Say what???

What, what, Pronger or the PP?

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Arber Xhekaj’s team stats among Habs defensemen this season:

G: 1
A: 2
P: 3
PIM: 13
Hits: 26
TOI: 15:18

He leads the Habs defense in goals, assists, points, penalty mins, hits, despite having the lowest time on ice.

 

[Tyson]

His story of being undrafted and being this good is making its way all around the league.

While he is very tough I think he is a terrific D prospect who happens to be a beast. What a find.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

His story of being undrafted and being this good is making its way all around the league.

While he is very tough I think he is a terrific D prospect who happens to be a beast. What a find.

Agreed 100%.

 

[jrom]

It does help him that this town is crazy about hockey but still... he was also the #1 trending player profile on eliteprospects.

 

[JianYang]

View attachment 598356
Arber Xhekaj’s team stats among Habs defensemen this season:

G: 1
A: 2
P: 3
PIM: 13
Hits: 26
TOI: 15:18

He leads the Habs defense in goals, assists, points, penalty mins, hits, despite having the lowest time on ice.

More proof Ovechkin isn't human. You're not supposed to be that physical at his age without getting hurt frequently.

 

[Runner77]

His story of being undrafted and being this good is making its way all around the league.

While he is very tough I think he is a terrific D prospect who happens to be a beast. What a find.

Might be a tad early to tell but Habs have to be one of the very few organizations that profited from the lack of scouting intel caused by COVID.

Habs did it with Arber and also at the draft this summer where several of the players they landed could have or should have gone higher, had opposing teams had the same level of intel.

How they did it, I’m not certain but they must have tapped into a lot intel from minor league coaches across several leagues, when you combine the wealth of contacts between Hughes and Gorton.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

More proof Ovechkin isn't human. You're not supposed to be that physical at his age without getting hurt frequently.

And he still manages to score 50 goals or so every year.

 

[waffledave]

I love Arber but let's cool it with the Pronger talk.

Pronger was the most dominant dman of modern times. He alone could win you a cup.

 

[Tyson]

I love Arber but let's cool it with the Pronger talk.

Pronger was the most dominant dman of modern times. He alone could win you a cup.

I will be happy if he becomes a 5-6 D that plays tough D.

 

[Adriatic]

What, what, Pronger or the PP?

The Pronger part

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

The Pronger part

Okay, i give you this, it's bit premature, but i like what i see so far, i knew he was good, but didn't think, he would jump into the NHL and play like this, likes he belong in it right now.

 

[Adriatic]

Okay, i give you this, it's bit premature, but i like what i see so far, i knew he was good, but didn't think, he would jump into the NHL and play like this, likes he belong in it right now.

I love him too. Another month like this and I'm slapping his name on a jersey.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Not too many people enjoy taking a cock to the eye.

Some make a fortune out of it !

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

when you realize he's 5th on the team in points...

 

[Belial]

when you realize he's 5th on the team in points...

Yeah, the depth scoring was inexistent so far.

 

[BenchBrawl]

I love Arber but let's cool it with the Pronger talk.

Pronger was the most dominant dman of modern times. He alone could win you a cup.

Biggest fan of Xhekaj here, but agreed,

Pronger was a better defenseman than Lidstrom. Lidstrom's career look better on paper but Pronger tilted the ice more in your favor.

Although I wouldn't go as far as saying Pronger was better than peak Bourque. Ray was crazy good on those late-80s/early-90s Boston teams, they just didn't have the lineup to win it all.

 

[Kennerback]

Biggest fan of Xhekaj here, but agreed,

Pronger was a better defenseman than Lidstrom. Lidstrom's career look better on paper but Pronger tilted the ice more in your favor.

Although I wouldn't go as far as saying Pronger was better than peak Bourque. Ray was crazy good on those late-80s/early-90s Boston teams, they just didn't have the lineup to win it all.

To win a Cup I would take peak Pronger over Lidstrom or Bourque.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Comparing to Pronger , woah let's take it easy.

His story is great so far , but the kid really needs to work on the defensive end.

He throw punches , make big hits , can shoot the puck but let's not go too fast once again. He will need to prove that he can eat solid minutes defensively to be considered a top 4 in the nhl , he lacks a bit of defensive aspect which a player can easily learn compared to many other things.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Comparing to Pronger , woah let's take it easy.

His story is great so far , but the kid really needs to work on the defensive end.

He throw punches , make big hits , can shoot the puck but let's not go too fast once again. He will need to prove that he can eat solid minutes defensively to be considered a top 4 in the nhl , he lacks a bit of defensive aspect which a player can easily learn compared to many other things.

Robinson lacked that aspect at first too. Very awkward and subject to more gaffes than the average D. He was 24 when he came into his own as a star D.

Arber has the tools physically. Will he have both the smarts and work ethic to learn the defensive side better? Will he have the mindset to become a complete player and not just sit on a 6D role based significantly on his physical intimidation factor?

Xhekaj says the right things, but I don't like the trolling as it contradicts his statement that he is a hockey player who happens to be able to fight. Robinson never trolled. He took care of Dave Schultz one famous time but he kept his mouth shut and let his play do the talking.

I hope the team can help Arber mature that way, but he has to want to himself as well.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Yeah, the depth scoring was inexistent so far.

Agreed. If we had more from Gallagher, Dvorak, Drouin, Hoffman and Dadonov, it could add several wins and get us more at the trade deadline for the future. It would also not be so bad if the three guys on contract past this year were able to contribute more. Two of them would normally still be here when we should open our compete window.

 

[Habs4Life]

I love Arber but let's cool it with the Pronger talk.

Pronger was the most dominant dman of modern times. He alone could win you a cup.

Pronger talk? lol Pronger was a way better skate and gifted offensively it's not even close. Pronger was a legend despite his injuries. I can't believe some of these posters, that's why I don't post as often anymore.