Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Tyson]

True . We have 20m$ unused. Cant see a team risking to sign Xhekaj to an offer while we have plenty of money to match. We saw the consequence with Aho/KK.

I doubt he would be that wanted. You are right when a team sees another team with ample cap space they would assume that the team would match. The only scenario would be spite similar with what Dundon did with Kotkaniemi

 

[KevSkillz4]

This guy is underrated.

He have all tools to become a solid top 4 D.

Shot, physical ability, hands, first pass... he have all that.

 

[Zilo44]

This guy is underrated.

He have all tools to become a solid top 4 D.

Shot, physical ability, hands, first pass... he have all that.

Amongst Struble, Harris, Barron and him, he is the one who holds the most value around the league IMO.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Amongst Struble, Harris, Barron and him, he is the one who holds the most value around the league IMO.

But I don't want to trade him. Even if a team offer 1st round pick. I'm a big believer of him. I would keep him easily over all names you said.

 

[Zilo44]

But I don't want to trade him. Even if a team offer 1st round pick. I'm a big believer of him. I would keep him easily over all names you said.

Yeah no way I trade Arber for a late first. Would only think about it in a package for a McGroarty/Zegras/Necas

 

[KevSkillz4]

Yeah no way I trade Arber for a late first. Would only think about it in a package for a McGroarty/Zegras/Necas

Yes. I will do that aswell.

 

[nilan30]

Amongst Struble, Harris, Barron and him, he is the one who holds the most value around the league IMO.

Most value to the Habs too

 

[The Real Timo]

I dread if Habs lose Xhekaj. Will be the weakest team in generations. I will puke.

 

[Tyson]

While he isn't the most talented Habs D I think what he brings is so needed to the point where I would not trade him. In this day and age it is difficult to find a guy who can play and add this much toughness.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Yeah no way I trade Arber for a late first. Would only think about it in a package for a McGroarty/Zegras/Necas

I would not trade him straight up for Mcgroarty who has significant bust potential.

 

[Heffyhoof]

I dread if Habs lose Xhekaj. Will be the weakest team in generations. I will puke.

It would definitely make me hate MSL. Dude seemed to enjoy watching the team get dummied with no pushback.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Nothing more irritating than all the talks about trading Xhekaj.

Unless there's something really f***ed up going on, never trade this guy.

Whatever they offer for him, we don't need.

Having a top pugilist who can play will be invaluable in our window.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Yeah no way I trade Arber for a late first. Would only think about it in a package for a McGroarty/Zegras/Necas

No point in doing that now, if we were forced to take a defenseman at 5, maybe you go that direction.

But now we have Demidov-Suzuki-Caufield-Dach-Slafkovsky-Newhook-Roy. I'm not desperate to get rid of a very valuable playoff style defenseman to get the Zegras and Necas' of the world and the contracts that will come with them. They become the 6th option up front.

 

[le_sean]

Nothing more irritating than all the talks about trading Xhekaj.

Unless there's something really f***ed up going on, never trade this guy.

Whatever they offer for him, we don't need.

Having a top pugilist who can play will be invaluable in our window.

Well you hope the shoulder surgery was a success because the guy that ragdolled Kassian was not the guy we saw last year. Either he was completely uninterested in fighting or he didn’t win.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

Well you hope the shoulder surgery was a success because the guy that ragdolled Kassian was not the guy we saw last year. Either he was completely uninterested in fighting or he didn’t win.

He focused on other areas of his game. It was much needed and he looked better, after his AHL stint at least.

Ragdolling Kassian, while fun, isn't the point of this game. It doesn't matter that he didn't fight all the time. He needs to be on the ice to improve his hockey skills.

 

[le_sean]

He focused on other areas of his game. It was much needed and he looked better, after his AHL stint at least.

Ragdolling Kassian, while fun, isn't the point of this game. It doesn't matter that he didn't fight all the time. He needs to be on the ice to improve his hockey skills.

I agree. Fighting it stupid. But as long as it’s part of the game, I prefer having the meanest guy around.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

I agree. Fighting it stupid. But as long as it’s part of the game, I prefer having the meanest guy around.

Yeah it is a part of his game that I appreciate, but it is especially meaningful if he is also a good hockey player. I like that he improved his discipline in the later part of the season and focused on his hockey instead of boxing.

Xhekaj is still the meanest guy around even if he doesn't fight every game anymore.

 

[Habs Halifax]

But I don't want to trade him. Even if a team offer 1st round pick. I'm a big believer of him. I would keep him easily over all names you said.

YUP! Xhekaj is a keeper. Top 4D physical potential and his puck moving is not terrible. Mobility for a guy his size is well above average.

I really like the Mailloux/Xhekaj pairing.

He focused on other areas of his game. It was much needed and he looked better, after his AHL stint at least.

Ragdolling Kassian, while fun, isn't the point of this game. It doesn't matter that he didn't fight all the time. He needs to be on the ice to improve his hockey skills.

I'm sure that was a discussion with MSL and Hughes. Fighting is nice when it's required but can't be his sole focus. Got to focus on what it takes to reach top 4D and be a physical presence. Fighting is secondary.

 

[schwang26]

YUP! Xhekaj is a keeper. Top 4D physical potential and his puck moving is not terrible. Mobility for a guy his size is well above average.

I really like the Mailloux/Xhekaj pairing.



I'm sure that was a discussion with MSL and Hughes. Fighting is nice when it's required but can't be his sole focus. Got to focus on what it takes to reach top 4D and be a physical presence. Fighting is secondary.

Especially when you have a guy who can contribute in other areas. Do people really want key players breaking a hand on someone’s helmet and missing 6 weeks? Look what happened to Arber with his shoulder. I’m up for a good fight, but some people are a little too bloodthirsty.

 

[Benstheman]

Xhekaj is the kind of guy you only trade in a package for an elite player.

I definately wouldn't trade him for a potential top 6 player or a 1st round.

The thing is though. If fans are afraid of Guhle's injuries, they should be even more worried about Xhekaj's.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Xhekaj is the kind of guy you only trade in a package for an elite player.

I definately wouldn't trade him for a potential top 6 player or a 1st round.

The thing is though. If fans are afraid of Guhle's injuries, they should be even more worried about Xhekaj's.

Agreed. We need our D to mature because we are riding some guys hard due to the youth and lack of maturity. Savard is gone next year so this is a big year for Guhle, Xhekaj, Barron, Mailloux, Reinbacher, Hutson. They are all at different spots but one more year of maturity helps.

Xhekaj is a good one. Might take a while before he matures and is a trusted top 4D though. I like his potential but I see modest growth season/season and look how long it took for someone like Zadorov to mature.

 

[Tyson]

Agreed. We need our D to mature because we are riding some guys hard due to the youth and lack of maturity. Savard is gone next year so this is a big year for Guhle, Xhekaj, Barron, Mailloux, Reinbacher, Hutson. They are all at different spots but one more year of maturity helps.

Xhekaj is a good one. Might take a while before he matures and is a trusted top 4D though. I like his potential but I see modest growth season/season and look how long it took for someone like Zadorov to mature.

While Xhekaj is a very tough player I would try and add some toughness on the 4th line. Arber is developing into a good player and you don't want Dmen fighting all that much, they are needed on the ice.

 

[Habs Halifax]

While Xhekaj is a very tough player I would try and add some toughness on the 4th line. Arber is developing into a good player and you don't want Dmen fighting all that much, they are needed on the ice.

At some point in the future yes. Today with all the vets we have in the bottom 6? NO. Clutters it up too much. Fighting is cheap and it doesn't really stop players from hitting guys hard. It's nice to watch but overrated.

 

[le_sean]

Yeah it is a part of his game that I appreciate, but it is especially meaningful if he is also a good hockey player. I like that he improved his discipline in the later part of the season and focused on his hockey instead of boxing.

Xhekaj is still the meanest guy around even if he doesn't fight every game anymore.

There was a game last year where Evans took a cheap shot and Arber was on the ice and didn’t respond. He’s not the meanest.

 

[Tyson]

At some point in the future yes. Today with all the vets we have in the bottom 6? NO. Clutters it up too much. Fighting is cheap and it doesn't really stop players from hitting guys hard. It's nice to watch but overrated.

You are not wrong but myself I want to see Xhekaj concentrate on hockey. Some teams still employ goons which is hard to comprehend