Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Captain Mountain]

If Kova at 25 is not better than Xhekaj at 21 right now, then I do not think they should prioritize Kova's
"development". If Kova IS better right now, and Xhekaj is 7th, then sure send him down. Note that in 13 NHL games Kovacevic has yet to register a point, but again if he is better overall, then play him at #6 and send Xhekaj down while keeping Wideman as #7.

However, in most cases the guys 20-22 will develop faster than the 25 year old who has already done 3 years in the AHL after 3 years against men in the NCAA.

I'm not sure I get your position. Development happens in both the AHL and NHL.

MSL is playing the young guys A LOT. Of the guys that have played every game, Savard, Monahan, Dvorak and Wideman are the guys who are older than 23 or not a rookie to average more than 15 minutes a game (compared Guhle, Harris, Suzuki, Kovacevic and Caufield).

Xhekaj is Montreal's least used D-man and second least used D-man 5v5. The two guys who are most likely to lose their spots when Edmundson and Matheson get healthy are him and Wideman (especially since Matheson and Wideman would occupy a similar role and Xhekaj and Edmundson would occupy a similar role).

Kovacevic also probably has less to learn at the AHL level as he has around 140 games at that level. Xhekaj comparatively only has around 180 games at the CHL level. I don't think the AHL would be a bad place for Xhekaj to play and there's reason to want the young guys he's actually in competition with (Guhle and Harris) to be in the NHL over him.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I'm not sure I get your position. Development happens in both the AHL and NHL.

MSL is playing the young guys A LOT. Of the guys that have played every game, Savard, Monahan, Dvorak and Wideman are the guys who are older than 23 or not a rookie to average more than 15 minutes a game (compared Guhle, Harris, Suzuki, Kovacevic and Caufield).

Xhekaj is Montreal's least used D-man and second least used D-man 5v5. The two guys who are most likely to lose their spots when Edmundson and Matheson get healthy are him and Wideman (especially since Matheson and Wideman would occupy a similar role and Xhekaj and Edmundson would occupy a similar role).

Kovacevic also probably has less to learn at the AHL level as he has around 140 games at that level. Xhekaj comparatively only has around 180 games at the CHL level. I don't think the AHL would be a bad place for Xhekaj to play and there's reason to want the young guys he's actually in competition with (Guhle and Harris) to be in the NHL over him.

My "position' is to think through the logic when Eddy and M&M are back.

In no case is Kova sent down and risked on waivers. Too risky for future depth when we have him for 3 years.

In no case will Xman or Harris sit and not play anywhere.

If both injured guys are back:

... and MSL refuses to play ANY of the LHD on the right side, then our 3 current RD keep playing, Harris and Xman both go to Laval, and a Laval veteran body is brought up to sit as the 7th.

... and MSL will only play 1 LHD on the right side, then Xman must go down to Laval assuming he is ranked as the least valuable of the three youngsters. None of the under 23s should ever be a 7th man.

If MSL is ready to play 2LHD on the right side (plus Savard), then internal competition for playing time is what will happen. The #6 guy will play.

Wideman or Kova #6 = Xman to Laval, and one of Kova or Wideman plays on any given night while the other sits.

Xman #6 = Wideman waived, Kova sits OR we play with 13F and 8D
The latter option could happen if two forwards are injured, or they prefer to waive a forward than Wideman

FINALLY: if only Eddy is back, and they are ready to move one LHD to the right, then Xman is sent to Laval if he is no longer top-6 If Xman is still #5 or #6, then they waive a F. I doubt they waive Wideman and stay with 6D longer term, though I guess that is possible?!

 

[Habs Halifax]

By sending Xhekaj you aren't prioritizing one players development over another becuase Xhekaj and Harris for that matter have things they can learn in the AHL so whether they learn them in the AHL or NHL it doesn't hurt their development.


So sitting Kovacevik for a long period of time won't impact his development? That's a novel take.

Did I say Kova would sit for a long period of time? NO. Go back and re-read. This is not some full time solution you stick with. You try a few things once Eddy and Matheson are healthy and go from there. If someone has to be sent to the AHL to get more ice time after we play a few games, you do it. But you want this permanent solution right away. Comical

 

[Habs10Habs]

I remember when Big Georges was interviewed in his home and made a peanut butter sandwich. There was lot of stuff in that sandwich. Peanut butter, bacon, tomatoes, grapes , ... that **** was disgusting and he ate it like it was nothing.

Peanut butter and bacon is so good. Adding tomatoes and grapes, I'm not sure about that lol

Honestly, Darius Kasparitis or Derian Hatcher

I don't see Kasparitus with Xhekaj. Romanov reminded me of him though.

 

[Sorinth]

Did I say Kova would sit for a long period of time? NO. Go back and re-read. This is not some full time solution you stick with. You try a few things once Eddy and Matheson are healthy and go from there. If someone has to be sent to the AHL to get more ice time after we play a few games, you do it. But you want this permanent solution right away. Comical

Maybe you should go back and re-read what I've been saying since you clearly jumped in without any context and are making some strange assumptions about what I've been saying.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Maybe you should go bac and re-read what I've been saying since you clearly jumped in without any context and are making some strange assumptions about what I've been saying.

This is your quote where I jumped in on the conversation... "So you'd be ok sacrificing long term success just to be fair to a couple of rookies?"

We are not sacrificing anything. Development has all kinds of different paths and each player has to be managed independently.

It doesn't have to be AHL all the time. That's the point. I am assuming you mean that we are sacrificing long term success cause they are playing NHL? Am I correct with that assumption? I asked you to go back and re-read and then you asked me to go back and re-read. I did. Clarify your position now

Barron is going to be much better down the road than Harris, Guhle, Wifi cause he is playing AHL this season? We will see about that.

 

[Sorinth]

Oh my God, we are stunting Pezzetta's development too!

I mean yes but in Pezzetta's case it's who really cares about his development. Kovacevik has the potential to be a top-4 guy which unlike an energy 4th liner is a valuable commodity. For reference Chiarot's first full NHL season was at 24 so pretty close to Kovacevik (If he plays a full season), and Chiarot didn't become more then a 5-6th guy until age 27. And there are plenty of similar examples of NHL defenceman who only really start to establish themselves in their mid-20s. The opportunity cost for us to explore Kovacevik's development in the short term is basically nothing since we don't really care about winning games and we have some waiver exempt D that would still find value in playing in the AHL.

This is your quote where I jumped in on the conversation... "So you'd be ok sacrificing long term success just to be fair to a couple of rookies?"

We are not sacrificing anything. Development has all kinds of different paths and each player has to be managed independently.

It doesn't have to be AHL all the time. That's the point. I am assuming you mean that we are sacrificing long term success cause they are playing NHL? Am I correct with that assumption? I asked you to go back and re-read and then you asked me to go back and re-read. I did. Clarify your position now

Exactly you jumped into the conversation and ignoring all the previous posts that would have provided the context you seem to now want.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Exactly you jumped into the conversation and ignoring all the previous posts that would have provided the context you seem to now want.

Not really ignoring it on purpose. You do have a chance to clarify your stance though and you choose to ignore that too. I'm trying here bud.

Am I miss reading your quote? "So you'd be ok sacrificing long term success just to be fair to a couple of rookies?"

Are you saying one of Harris or Wifi needs to be sent to AHL ahead of Kova?

 

[Sorinth]

Not really ignoring it on purpose. You do have a chance to clarify your stance though and you choose to ignore that too. I'm trying here bud.

Am I miss reading your quote? "So you'd be ok sacrificing long term success just to be fair to a couple of rookies?"

Are you saying one of Harris or Wifi needs to be sent to AHL ahead of Kova?

Not very hard considering 5 posts up from your original post it was answered but since your apparently trying I'll repeat myself "Because your sitting Kovacevik and therefore likely to lose out on his development."

Personally I find Kovacevik to have Chiarot level potential, from @BaseballCoach 's responses I assume he doesn't have the same opinion of Kovacevik's potential. So yes if everyone is healthy I would play Kovacevik, sit Wideman as the #7 and send one of Harris/Xhekaj to the AHL. Then if someone gets injured I would recall whoever got sent down and still keep Wideman as the #7 sitting in the pressbox. Both Harris and Xhekaj are NHL ready but they would still see benefits from playing big minutes in the AHL. So this would maximize everyones development which is the best thing for long term success.

 

[Andrei79]

Not very hard considering 5 posts up from your original post it was answered but since your apparently trying I'll repeat myself "Because your sitting Kovacevik and therefore likely to lose out on his development."

Personally I find Kovacevik to have Chiarot level potential, from @BaseballCoach 's responses I assume he doesn't have the same opinion of Kovacevik's potential. So yes if everyone is healthy I would play Kovacevik, sit Wideman as the #7 and send one of Harris/Xhekaj to the AHL. Then if someone gets injured I would recall whoever got sent down and still keep Wideman as the #7 sitting in the pressbox. Both Harris and Xhekaj are NHL ready but they would still see benefits from playing big minutes in the AHL. So this would maximize everyones development which is the best thing for long term success.

I thought Harris was AHL bound after preseason, but he's been fantastic since the start of the regular season. Sending him down right now would be strange, especially given he's being played between 20-25mins a game and that he keeps improving.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Not very hard considering 5 posts up from your original post it was answered but since your apparently trying I'll repeat myself "Because your sitting Kovacevik and therefore likely to lose out on his development."

Personally I find Kovacevik to have Chiarot level potential, from @BaseballCoach 's responses I assume he doesn't have the same opinion of Kovacevik's potential. So yes if everyone is healthy I would play Kovacevik, sit Wideman as the #7 and send one of Harris/Xhekaj to the AHL. Then if someone gets injured I would recall whoever got sent down and still keep Wideman as the #7 sitting in the pressbox. Both Harris and Xhekaj are NHL ready but they would still see benefits from playing big minutes in the AHL. So this would maximize everyones development which is the best thing for long term success.

I like Kova as well. Personally, I'd run with 8D for a bit and go from there. We can ride with one extra forward and Dadonov/Pezzetta get waived to AHL.

Wideman as a 7th or 8th guy is ideal. Agreed there.

I'm sure there will be a injury at some point here as well. I just dislike the send him to AHL to develop better narrative. One shoe does not fit all sizes at times. Got to manage each guy independently.

Possible both Harris and Xhekaj go to AHL at the same time. With the narrative that it's not for the entire season.

 

[Sorinth]

I thought Harris was AHL bound after preseason, but he's been fantastic since the start of the regular season. Sending him down right now would be strange, especially given he's being played between 20-25mins a game and that he keeps improving.

He's definitely looking good, it's not a case of sending him down because the others are better but more a case of giving him the opportunity to focus on offence and the PP. This wouldn't be a long term demotion, just something to give him a chance to gain confidence in his offence and get him in that mindset of being an offensive weapon because he has the skills but he's a little too focused on playing it safe at the NHL level.

That said we are talking about something that probably isn't relevent given that it would only happen if everyone is healthy which I somewhat doubt will be the case. And even then how Harris and Xhekaj develop between now and when Matheson would be healthy could change things up.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Not very hard considering 5 posts up from your original post it was answered but since your apparently trying I'll repeat myself "Because your sitting Kovacevik and therefore likely to lose out on his development."

Personally I find Kovacevik to have Chiarot level potential, from @BaseballCoach 's responses I assume he doesn't have the same opinion of Kovacevik's potential. So yes if everyone is healthy I would play Kovacevik, sit Wideman as the #7 and send one of Harris/Xhekaj to the AHL. Then if someone gets injured I would recall whoever got sent down and still keep Wideman as the #7 sitting in the pressbox. Both Harris and Xhekaj are NHL ready but they would still see benefits from playing big minutes in the AHL. So this would maximize everyones development which is the best thing for long term success.

My approach:

Play the best 6, sit the next highest ranking one who is not under 23. Send down, even if waiver is necessary, whoever is #8, unless it is Kovacevic. I would not want to lose him on waivers, whereas I don't care if we lose Wideman, and we can't lose the ELC waiver-exempt guys.

But if the coaches determine that Kovacevic at 25 is not better than ANY of Guhle or Harris or Wifi today, then I don't think further development will leapfrog him above them, nor Savard, Matheson or Eddy.

So I am opposed to playing Kovacevic at #6, if he is valued BY THE TEAM as #7, and as a result sending the #6 guy to the minors.

 

[Kennerback]

Aaron Ward says before games he always looked at the PIMs of the team he was playing. Re Xkj

 

[ahmedou]

Top Ten Most Viewed Player Profiles in October : Elite Prospects Hockey

Have You Met Arber Xhekaj?

Arber Xhekaj - The 21-year-old was a free agent signing earmarked for Laval of the AHL, but his pre-season play earned him a spot on the opening night roster for the Montreal Canadians. He's got a goal and two assists in his first nine games, but it's his in-your-face style of play that has Habs fans coming to EP to learn more about him. PS. His last name is pronounced Jack-eye. You're welcome!

 

[BaseballCoach]

Aaron Ward says before games he always looked at the PIMs of the team he was playing. Re Xkj

So were the other teams scared of Tatar?

 

[CAUFIELD]

It’s funny how other teams fans think he’s only in the NHL to fight.

Xhekaj will be in their favorite players face for years

 

[SpeedyPotato]

So were the other teams scared of Tatar?

He said he looked at who had an odd number, suggesting they were in fights, so no, not scared of tuna

 

[Twisted Sinister]

AX looked like he wanted to fight the whole other team after the Slaf hit.

 

[Habby4Life]

AX looked like he wanted to fight the whole other team after the Slaf hit.

The hype for this guy is so over the top it’s comical. 1 NHL fight, 1! Lol.

Btw - tonight he was watching while Evans was doing what AX is supposed to do.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

The hype for this guy is so over the top it’s comical. 1 NHL fight, 1! Lol.

Btw - tonight he was watching while Evans was doing what AX is supposed to do.

Not sure how he was supposed to get to Rossi when there was an entire crowd, including a linesman around him.



Far as I know, he doesn't have any Mario stars where he can just go through things without consequence.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Not sure how he was supposed to get to Rossi when there was an entire crowd, including a linesman around him.



Far as I know, he doesn't have any Mario stars where he can just go through things without consequence.

Its also asinine that people expect Xhekaj to fight or attack someone every time there's a controversial hit. He's not in the nhl to be an enforcer. He's there because he has the talent to be a good defenseman.

 

[Habby4Life]

Not sure how he was supposed to get to Rossi when there was an entire crowd, including a linesman around him.



Far as I know, he doesn't have any Mario stars where he can just go through things without consequence.

Doesn’t have to go after Rossi. He should have gone with Middleton or someone else. It’s about sending a message, kid didn’t step up.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Doesn’t have to go after Rossi. He should have gone with Middleton or someone else. It’s about sending a message, kid didn’t step up.

Except you wrote, "Btw - tonight he was watching while Evans was doing what AX is supposed to do."

You don't like the kid that's fine, but you're kind of making of ways to shit on him.

 

[Habby4Life]

Except you wrote, "Btw - tonight he was watching while Evans was doing what AX is supposed to do."

You don't like the kid that's fine, but you're kind of making of ways to shit on him.

I don’t like the kid, haha, I never said that. I’m criticizing him for not doing his job. Sorry if you can’t handle that.