Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Matthew McConaughay]

Apart from the turnover he created, but fixed after, he didn't have a bad game, the other Ds were worse than him.

 

[Kennerback]

Xhekaj is a real gem. He’s surprisingly elusive for a big huge D. His skating is much stronger than I anticipated.

 

[MXD]

Agreed. Wideman is our least used defenseman and the obvious one to waive when Matheson returns. I don't understand the speculation about sending down Xhekaj or Harris.

Rookies with low playing time.

But Harris did show he could play very well on the right as long as no one is asking him to play an unreasonable amount of minutes (Xhekaj... didn't), and Xhekaj can probably play F too. I mean, we have to play one of Dadonov or Pezzetta, so...

I personally don't care if Xhecaj doesn't play every game. As long as he isn't scratched for 4 games in a row.

 

[calder candidate]

I agree with you, but think the same for Wifi.

My choices for demotion are, in order:
Pitlick
Wideman
Dadonov
Pezzetta

And if Armia is out longer, we can defer the decision.


Why can't Pitlick go first?

Pitlick can go first but he was already sent down, Xhekaj or young player can gain a lot from going to the AHL it is great that they aren’t overwhelmed but there just no data that prove that staying in the NHL is best or that going to the AHL is worst. Even if they dominate they still learn have responsibility and leadership that they don’t have in the NHL. The real NHL season has just started some of these vet are just hitting there cruising speed team are set and gelling… And some of these young guys were already at 110%, now some of these guy are getting closer at they edge, I rather send them down when everything is going well and we can send them with a clear plan and positive mind set ( if it is a numbers game it is pretty easy to explain) than having to do it when the performance is dropping off because of regardless of the reason the player know that is isn’t cutting it…

 

[dinodebino]

I hope not. I'd rather he stay on the ice and only fight when there is a need. I'd also rather DLo on the ice too lol.

DLo got clobbered by Olivier. He would NOT look good with Arber.

 

[McGees]

Odd man out?

 

[Canadienna]

Xhekaj and Edmundson had really great defensive stats last night.

Their xGA was like 0.1, compared to over 1 for all our other pairings.

I'm not trying to take anything out of context, but I think it's a mistake to send Xhekaj down. He's a beast, and he's one of our 4 best Dmen.

 

[Hannibal]

Odd man out?

Pretty stupid to play Kovacevik instead of him. Let him play and give him icetime in a rebuild year. Laval is a shit show. Don’t let him go there.

 

[CAUFIELD]

Kovacevic should sit for Xhekaj.

Ghule-Savard
Matheson-Harris
Edmundson-Xhekaj

Would be my pairing

 

[26Mats]

Kovacevic should sit for Xhekaj.

Ghule-Savard
Matheson-Harris
Edmundson-Xhekaj

Would be my pairing

So we now see that MSL will start with:

Guhle - Savard
Edmundson - Matheson
Harris - Kovacevic
Xhekaj, Wideman

Well, I don't mind Xhekaj sitting for a game. I just wish he had been used on the left and Eddie on the right. Oh well, hopefully Eddy gets his trade value up and is traded sooner rather than later.

 

[yianik]

But numbers of what? Overpriced or underperforming vets? Who cares if Wideman is sent down? He's hardly playing anymore anyway. Even Dadonov on his expiring contract is a lower priority for me than developing the kids who will be here for years. Fibhallym, OPezzetta is a nice-to-have, but he will never be an impact player or regular. Slaf, Guhle, Harris and Wifi should all be, while 25 yo Kovacevic with his 3 year minimum-wage contract is a perfect #7D.


Pitlick? Or if Armia is not ready to play, he goes on IR.

Good God yes I am fine with that.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Pitlick can go first but he was already sent down, Xhekaj or young player can gain a lot from going to the AHL it is great that they aren’t overwhelmed but there just no data that prove that staying in the NHL is best or that going to the AHL is worst. Even if they dominate they still learn have responsibility and leadership that they don’t have in the NHL. The real NHL season has just started some of these vet are just hitting there cruising speed team are set and gelling… And some of these young guys were already at 110%, now some of these guy are getting closer at they edge, I rather send them down when everything is going well and we can send them with a clear plan and positive mind set ( if it is a numbers game it is pretty easy to explain) than having to do it when the performance is dropping off because of regardless of the reason the player know that is isn’t cutting it…

Sending Pitlick down left us at 22 players including Armia. We can add Matheson without demoting anyone. Armia casn return without demoting anyone.

The reason it works and would not have worked a week ago is the injury to Drouin for at least 4-6 weeks.

The only reason to demote a youngster is if they fall out of the starting 12F or 6D. If that has happened for anyone, then fine. Better develop at a quarter or half speed than not play at all.

 

[Tyson]

Looks like the odd man out today at practice

 

[dinodebino]

So they are taking Arber out for a game against a Torts team. Hey boy. Bon timing chef. They never learn do they.

 

[417]

I expect he's gonna be sent to Laval when Matheson is activated.

So far this is a aging well.

As much as some won't like this. It's the move that makes the most sense.

Personally, I don't think Xhekaj has been all that good recently, he's not displacing Guhle for obvious reasons, and he's not nearly as polished as Harris.

Edmunson and Matheson are vets.

Savard and Kovacevic are the only RD’s and are fine in their respective roles.

Wideman can sit as the 7th Dman, with no impact to his development.

Playing 20+ mins a game in Laval will do Xhekaj some good, don't worry y’all, he’ll be back.

 

[schwang26]

They need to deal Edmundson or Savard and avoid sending anyone down.

 

[JohnTheBaptist]

So far this is a aging well.

As much as some won't like this. It's the move that makes the most sense.

Personally, I don't think Xhekaj has been all that good recently, he's not displacing Guhle for obvious reasons, and he's not nearly as polished as Harris.

Edmunson and Matheson are vets.

Savard and Kovacevic are the only RD’s and are fine in their respective roles.

Wideman can sit as the 7th Dman, with no impact to his development.

Playing 20+ mins a game in Lavala will do Xhekaj some good, don't worry y’all, he’ll be back.

What about placing Wideman on waivers when Matheson is back and keeping Xhekaj in Montreal? Maybe they should do that since Wideman doesn't bring much to the table in the NHL.

 

[417]

What about placing Wideman on waivers when Matheson is back and keeping Xhekaj in Montreal? Maybe they should do that since Wideman doesn't bring much to the table in the NHL.

Well like I said, this still makes Xhekaj the extra Dman and they don't want him sitting

 

[JohnTheBaptist]

Well like I said, this still makes Xhekaj the extra Dman and they don't want him sitting

You're right he'll probably be sent down to Laval. Hopefully he can put up some big numbers down there.

 

[Runner77]

So they are taking Arber out for a game against a Torts team. Hey boy. Bon timing chef. They never learn do they.

Failure to read not the tea leaves but the big neon sign.

 

[The Real Timo]

I don't understand why Xhekaj is the odd guy out... he's been better than both Harris and Kova (and I like both of them) - not to mention Savard.
Left/right ... whatever. He is NOT the guy to sit.

So they are taking Arber out for a game against a Torts team. Hey boy. Bon timing chef. They never learn do they.

Plus ca change...

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Its surprising that so many see Laval as the magical elixir to a player’s woes. The team is 500, playing an exciting brand of hockey and giving us all a glimpse of a promising future. Nevertheless should any player have a bad game, there is a resulting chorus demanding that he be sent to Laval. Using that logic where are the cries to send Caufield to the AHL or even the ECHL. You send a player to Laval when it is clear that he is being overwhelmed by the level of play at the NHL. Not because he has a bad game. Or even two. Let our young players learn and develop against the best competition. If they stubble and start to become discouraged, then you consider demoting them to a less challenging level of competition. This team still has swagger. They compete and compete hard You encourage that swagger and not deflate and undermine it. That swagger may not result in numerous wins this year. But it will soon.

Nothing else needs to be said.

I don't understand why Xhekaj is the odd guy out... he's been better than both Harris and Kova (and I like both of them) - not to mention Savard.
Left/right ... whatever. He is NOT the guy to sit.


Plus ca change...

No he hasn’t.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I agree with you, but think the same for Wifi.

My choices for demotion are, in order:
Pitlick
Wideman
Dadonov
Pezzetta

And if Armia is out longer, we can defer the decision.


Why can't Pitlick go first?

I feel saMe way about Wifi too. I’d prefer to see Savard or Eddy traded tbh.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

They need to deal Edmundson or Savard and avoid sending anyone down.

I think it’s more important that, I don’t think either get sent down, but they should be playing. Let’s not make mistakes of the past where we are platooning our youth in favour of inferior vets.

 

[Belial]

Kovacevic should sit for Xhekaj.

Ghule-Savard
Matheson-Harris
Edmundson-Xhekaj

Would be my pairing

Harris doesn't look great when playing on the right side.