Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

WeThreeKings

Habs cup - its in the BAG
Sep 19, 2006
92,937
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Halifax
great! no argument that he has those things.

my point is if i was looking for calm, poise, leadership in a game, id go to Guhle. Smooth skating and moving the puck? Matheson or hutson. Physicality? Struble or Xhekaj. I think all those guys are better in those specific areas, meaning that Harris becomes a jack of all trades, maybe a 7th D in this scenario.

Yes, those guys would obviously play above him.. but the thing is that you need a bottom pair, a bottom pair that can be cheap, give you around 13 minutes a night and feel good about that.

Harris is that type of defenseman. The Stars couldn't trust their 6th defenseman and it hurt them as they burnt out after two big series and a third tough test against Edmonton.
 

Gaud

Registered User
May 11, 2017
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Depends on the situation, one size does not fit all.

What happens when those specialists are injured? Wouldn't you be happy to have a young, cost-controlled depth guy that can do it all and never hurting your team to replace them? Because it happens all the time and you don't always have the possibility to send out the player you want on the ice.

I'm not argueing Harris over anyone, just saying that your logic about using the right piece at the right time is good in theory but not always applicable in reality.
nope actually i think you agree with me, in another way. You are also referring as harris as a "young, cost-controlled depth guy that can do it all". im not saying Harris is useless, only that he is that replacement that will take anybody's spot.

My argument started when someone said he was untouchable.
 
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bcv

My french sucks.
Sep 18, 2010
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nope actually i think you agree with me, in another way. You are also referring as harris as a "young, cost-controlled depth guy that can do it all". im not saying Harris is useless, only that he is that replacement that will take anybody's spot.

My argument started when someone said he was untouchable.
He definitely isn't untouchable.
 

Gaud

Registered User
May 11, 2017
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590
Yes, those guys would obviously play above him.. but the thing is that you need a bottom pair, a bottom pair that can be cheap, give you around 13 minutes a night and feel good about that.

Harris is that type of defenseman. The Stars couldn't trust their 6th defenseman and it hurt them as they burnt out after two big series and a third tough test against Edmonton.
Not saying harris doesnt belong in the NHL - was making the point that he's expendable. He may be the first one out. He also has D that are competing with him for htat 6th or 7th spot, like Struble. There are comments in this sthread that talk about him being untouchable.
 
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bcv

My french sucks.
Sep 18, 2010
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I've never seen a single person say Harris is untouchable. I know someone claimed someone did one time but I've never seen it.
Neither have I, but claims of unknown people having absurd opinions just to argue for the sake argueing happens often on here.
 
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Saundies

Fly On The Wall
Jun 8, 2012
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I just hope his two shoulders will be 100% and that he will continue to improve his overall defensive play.
This is my thing too -- Obviously Xhekaj is a tough nut but two shoulder surgeries in the last two years do worry me. That'll probably cut down on any fighting and maybe cut down on some battling as well. Even the toughest guys have subconcious qualms about reinjuring themselves.
 
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BJCOLLINS

Registered User
Jul 7, 2003
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MSL & Hughes seem to strike a good balance with the D roster. There appears to be a true meritocracy at play. Our 2 vets play minutes that reflect their talent and the rookies (+/-) play is based on their ability & maturity. Harris is playing behind Struble based strictly on performance. It’s a healthy structure based on the eye test and its communicated by play better & your in. Development is so important with the bottom half of our d depth 6-10. By all accounts Xhekaj would be 3rd pairing this year and Sakic thought Barron would be pushing for a top 6 spot at this stage.
I really, really like Xhekaj but if he’s on the block for Necas. Man that would be disappointing. I think AX has a better chance of developing the talents of a Mailloux type D than vice versa with this group of young d. A little further down, don’t sleep on D Sobolev he’s gonna be a solid stay at home type player.
 

1909

Registered User
Jul 6, 2016
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MSL & Hughes seem to strike a good balance with the D roster. There appears to be a true meritocracy at play. Our 2 vets play minutes that reflect their talent and the rookies (+/-) play is based on their ability & maturity. Harris is playing behind Struble based strictly on performance. It’s a healthy structure based on the eye test and its communicated by play better & your in. Development is so important with the bottom half of our d depth 6-10. By all accounts Xhekaj would be 3rd pairing this year and Sakic thought Barron would be pushing for a top 6 spot at this stage.
I really, really like Xhekaj but if he’s on the block for Necas. Man that would be disappointing. I think AX has a better chance of developing the talents of a Mailloux type D than vice versa with this group of young d. A little further down, don’t sleep on D Sobolev he’s gonna be a solid stay at home type player.
IF Hughes is willing to trade Xhekaj, it will be because he has huge concerns about his shoulders’ injuries, and-or is not judging that his defensive play will improve much in the future.
 

BJCOLLINS

Registered User
Jul 7, 2003
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Pirate Satellite
IF Hughes is willing to trade Xhekaj, it will be because he has huge concerns about his shoulders’ injuries, and-or is not judging that his defensive play will improve much in the future.
Yup, the interested team will also take all these issues into consideration…I have to think that Guhle is HuGo’s most coveted D, & will look to lock him up, long term. Hutson & Reinbacher could burst onto the scene or off to AHL. Mailloux could break out as well.
 

Estimated_Prophet

Registered User
Mar 28, 2003
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IF Hughes is willing to trade Xhekaj, it will be because he has huge concerns about his shoulders’ injuries, and-or is not judging that his defensive play will improve much in the future.

That is not necessarily true.

The correct answer is that if Hughes trades him it will because we have a ton of depth at LD and the price was right......end of story, no need for anyone to smuggle their pet theories into the story. His injury history is known to both sides so all it will do is affect his value to some degree from zero to significant.
 
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Habs7631

Registered User
Feb 28, 2017
155
325
Anybody thinks the Chatfield extension is an interesting comparison for X?

Chatfield just signed 3X3M. 3rd pairing defenseman on one of the best team in the league. He was gonna be UFA as well.

X should get less than 3M then right?
 

Team_Spirit

95% Elliotte
Jul 3, 2002
38,205
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1000004899.jpg
 

Habs7631

Registered User
Feb 28, 2017
155
325
He also got some ntc rights and a decent bonus.

It's an alarming deal.

Chatfield got a NTC???? Man, 3rd pairing Dman are getting NTC now? Between that and Zadorov (another 3rd pairing D) apparently getting 6X6 some of these GMs really are getting taken to the cleaners.

Hopefully HuGo are not that stupid in the future.
 

JianYang

Registered User
Sep 29, 2017
18,382
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Chatfield got a NTC???? Man, 3rd pairing Dman are getting NTC now? Between that and Zadorov (another 3rd pairing D) apparently getting 6X6 some of these GMs really are getting taken to the cleaners.

Hopefully HuGo are not that stupid in the future.

It's not a full ntc but he's got alot of say, regardless.

Chatfield did very well for himself.
 

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