Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Licou]

I thought this was interesting too, but I think there's two things at play:

1. We have the benefit of hindsight now. Even if you go into the beginning of this thread, people are saying he tops out max as a 6D. Xhekaj's progression does seem very unusual.

2. It seems from my memory of the article they considered him from 5th round onwards, and had him on their draft board in 2020 and 2021. The 5th-7th round picks in 2020 are: Dobes, Gordin and in 2021: Sobolev, Roy, Simoneau, Vrbetic. Again with the benefit of hindsight some of those players wont be part of the system soon, but there's still some interesting names there, and I can see why the scouting staff may have found them more interesting than Xhekaj based on what was known of Xhekaj at the time.

Yeah I am sure some thoughts went into this. I like most may not like the past regime, but they were not idiots.

Still, anything past the 4th round is basically a one in 1 an 100 chance anyway.. If you like a guy, might as well spend the pick. They must have liked the other draftees a bit more I guess.

 

[nilan30]

Reeves is the true NHL heavyweight. There is no one in the league that comes close.


If you don’t like what I have to say there is an ignore function, use it. Lol.

I think Lucic and Reeves probably split a ten fight series. Milan is still as tough as they get in the league.

 

[Habby4Life]

I think Lucic and Reeves probably split a ten fight series. Milan is still as tough as they get in the league.

Not anymore, Milan is still a very tough guy but he isn’t in Reeves league. Reeves is the undisputed heavyweight champ.

I find that comical and over the top. One response! One!

Haha, someone is TRIGGERED!!!!!!!!

 

[rik schau]

lots of poise tonight, lots of hits and simple plays; thought he had a very good game

A few hiccups but overall solid, Playing on a different side suddenly, just needs a moment to adapt to it,no biggie.

 

[TomKosto]

Reeves is the true NHL heavyweight. There is no one in the league that comes close.


If you don’t like what I have to say there is an ignore function, use it. Lol.

Lucic and Macdermid comes to mind... but yea Reaves is at the top of the food chain.

Not anymore, Milan is still a very tough guy but he isn’t in Reeves league. Reeves is the undisputed heavyweight champ.



Haha, someone is TRIGGERED!!!!!!!!

Base on what? Lucic could easily win. His name is Reaves btw

 

[BJCOLLINS]

Wideman should be the first man out when one of the boys come back. Shoot him out of cannon please

Yup, package Wideman with Hoff, Drouin or Dadonov……whatever gets us a bag of pucks.
The spot & ice time is so much more valuable to our rookies right now.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Yup, package Wideman with Hoff, Drouin or Dadonov……whatever gets us a bag of pucks.
The spot & ice time is so much more valuable to our rookies right now.

Plus 5 sticks, an offer they can't refuse.

 

[Habby4Life]

Lucic and Macdermid comes to mind... but yea Reaves is at the top of the food chain.


Base on what? Lucic could easily win. His name is Reaves btw

Lucic is one tough cookie but I think time and injuries have caught up to him. I see him play a lot live in CGY he isn’t the same guy.

Haha, I always get names wrong!! Thanks for politely pointing it out.

Anyway, I like AX and Eddy combo, that’s a big tough physical pairing. Eddy will be a good mentor.

 

[MilesNewton]

View attachment 602768

Only in Montreal would this be a story. He is not unlike many other kids who have done the exact same thing.
Not taking away from him as a player. the Montreal media needs to take it down a notch on these rookies. Let them play and be objective, there will be lows and highs. The Montreal media is 100 times worse than TMZ. I do realize its the Athletic however let him develop and play.

 

[Xirik]

With the new "player" on the Bruins the NHL needs its sheriff more then ever.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

With the new "player" on the Bruins the NHL needs its sheriff more then ever.

After watching this kid’s surprisingly steady play, I would suggest the Xhekaj’s value to the team as a core defenceman will soon surpass his expected value as an enforcer. I know its heresy here to say, but Xhekaj is developing into a strong defenceman who in the future will be more valuable to the team on the ice than in the penalty box.

 

[Simarino]

I think Lucic and Reeves probably split a ten fight series. Milan is still as tough as they get in the league.

Kurtis Macdermid fought both and got the better of them imo, don't sleep on this guy, he's a tough mofo!!

 

[Tyson]

After watching this kid’s surprisingly steady play, I would suggest the Xhekaj’s value to the team as a core defenceman will soon surpass his expected value as an enforcer. I know its heresy here to say, but Xhekaj is developing into a strong defenceman who in the future will be more valuable to the team on the ice than in the penalty box.

A good young player who has the ability to fight.
He can play.

 

[xX SEYF Xx]

 

[Retired]

I find he gets it to the net a lot too.

 

[yianik]

I like the nickname "Wifi " alot. It's original, unlike nicknames where a guys name is shortened or becomes something it rhymes with.

But this is another. Can we call him " Chaos " as well ? Hmm. Maybe not great, but I love the sentiment, that he can bring chaos to the ice be it from hitting, fighting or shooting.

Unleash Chaos MSL.

 

[Andrewcoursol]

I like the nickname "Wifi " alot. It's original, unlike nicknames where a guys name is shortened or becomes something it rhymes with.

But this is another. Can we call him " Chaos " as well ? Hmm. Maybe not great, but I love the sentiment, that he can bring chaos to the ice be it from hitting, fighting or shooting.

Unleash Chaos MSL.

Larkin probably not going to be a problem after getting put onto his ass not once but twice by WIFI.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Larkin probably not going to be a problem after getting put onto his ass not once but twice by WIFI.

Next time, he will have his ass .

 

[Andrewcoursol]

Next time, he will have his ass .

Pretty sure wifi is only into putting people on their asses or just kicking them.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

Seen this movie too many times

 

[Paddy17]

This guy's got great hands. His puck skills are severely underrated.

 

[Belial]

Arber definitely looks like he belongs but that second Red Wings goal was pretty much on him all the way.

He'll learn I'm sure! Go Arber Go!

 

[Team_Spirit]

Xhekaj is already a fan fav

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Xhekaj is already a fan fav

I was a fan since, they signed him, i followed him in the juniors, and couldn't believe, he didn't get drafted.

Arber definitely looks like he belongs but that second Red Wings goal was pretty much on him all the way.

He'll learn I'm sure! Go Arber Go!

Guhle did some mistakes too, he's learning.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Nice interview about Xhekaj with Dennis Wideman.

Stu Cowan: Xhekaj's journey from raw junior to Canadiens' blue line

"He’s one of the hardest-working kids we’ve ever had here," says Kitchener Rangers assistant coach Dennis Wideman.

montrealgazette.com