Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Tyson]

Agreed. While X is the only player that can actually fight on this team, he won't be able to get away from it. I don't want to see another Georges Laraque BS. Code and shit like that. But, Habs desperately need more nastiness and at least a couple of good scrappers up front. Pezz ain't it.


Da leadership comes from being a better person. Has he read Michael Therrien's book?

Haven't we all read the Therrien book on depp and respek? . I especially like the chapter on second guessing!

 

[HuGort]

That was a solid interview

Arguably one of best interviews. I was going to highlight it more but gave it up.

 

[shamrun]

He is not bad at drawing at all. Hew drew kirby today at some sort of habs stream going on live right now.

 

[Rapala]

That's why I cringe when I read some of the posters here eagerly awaiting Abner's return so he can start fighting. This 'my daddy can beat up your daddy' syndrome has got to stop. We need Xhekaj on the ice, not on long term rehab from further surgical repairs to his shoulders. Let him 'hurt' teams with his strong physical play and 100 mph+ shot.

Absolutely we need Arber's nastiness to be in play whistle to whistle and just don't be the whistle.
I was watching him towards the end of last season policing scrums and often neutralizing two guys without stirring up shit.
I mentioned at the time how that would pay dividends in the future with the officials.
There is a reason certain players always get away with more than others case in point Shea Weber.

 

[OldCraig71]

Wifi and Barron have a lot to prove this season and their new deals from Hughes are the proof. Arber will have to clean some things up to avoid being sent to Laval because others are hungry for a full time spot in the lineup.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Wifi and Barron have a lot to prove this season and their new deals from Hughes are the proof. Arber will have to clean some things up to avoid being sent to Laval because others are hungry for a full time spot in the lineup.

Competition brings out the best in most.

 

[HuGort]

Wifi and Barron have a lot to prove this season and their new deals from Hughes are the proof. Arber will have to clean some things up to avoid being sent to Laval because others are hungry for a full time spot in the lineup.

Wifi much better player when he came back up from Laval last season

 

[BLONG7]

Wifi much better player when he came back up from Laval last season

Going to Laval was not a bad thing at all.
Both he and Barron should be better players for it.................and both do have their hands full keeping their spots.

 

[Tyson]

Going to Laval was not a bad thing at all.
Both he and Barron should be better players for it.................and both do have their hands full keeping their spots.

I think Xhekaj is going to end up in the top 4 this season. Imagine a "goon" who is skilled enough for top 4 minutes.

 

[kyne]

I think Xhekaj is going to end up in the top 4 this season. Imagine a "goon" who is skilled enough for top 4 minutes.

I think the last tme we had player that fit that description might have been Odelein. Different players but similar attributes. Now wouldn't that be something...

 

[Rapala]

Wifi much better player when he came back up from Laval last season

People forget he had a couple of very good games before he got sent down as well.
I still think his game against Boston earlier in the season was one of his best.
Putting them together consistently is his next step.

I agree when returned from Laval he was hurting people with clean hard checks by being patient in the neutral zone.
It was easy to see when players started avoided him and his corner it happened more than once.

 

[Rapala]

I think the last tme we had player that fit that description might have been Odelein. Different players but similar attributes. Now wouldn't that be someting...

I loved Lyle the cleanup master.
So efficient at keeping house clearing the zone and goading the opposition.
Odelein's D game was under rated look at his season when we last won the Cup he ended up +35.
He followed that up with a 40 point season the year after.

 

[schwang26]

Agreed. While X is the only player that can actually fight on this team, he won't be able to get away from it. I don't want to see another Georges Laraque BS. Code and shit like that. But, Habs desperately need more nastiness and at least a couple of good scrappers up front. Pezz ain't it.


Da leadership comes from being a better person. Has he read Michael Therrien's book?

Some fans want everyone to drop the gloves. I remember a few years ago when Anderson was actually scoring, arguing with someone who thought he should fight. Do you really want a top 6 guy (at the time) breaking his hand on someone’s helmet and missing 2 months? I love seeing Arber kick ass, but when he hurt his shoulder, you see how easy it is to lose a guy in a fight.

 

[HuGort]

People forget he had a couple of very good games before he got sent down as well.
I still think his game against Boston earlier in the season was one of his best.
Putting them together consistently is his next step.

I agree when returned from Laval he was hurting people with clean hard checks by being patient in the neutral zone.
It was easy to see when players started avoided him and his corner it happened more than once.

Taking too many penalties before he went down

 

[Mrb1p]

This would be fire in a X edit

 

[Habssince89]

Xhekaj has shown he can throw em, and he doesn't need to prove it. He just needs to operate like Weber, who fought only when needed, but most of the time guys backed down over the threat. With other guys who are coming into the fold (esp at forward) who can fight, I think AX will rightfully focus on hockey, because he's pretty good at that too.

I want to see him develop that shot and getting it to the net. That's all he needs to do and he'll increase his points by a decent margin.

 

[HuGo Sham]

I see some of the Odelein comparisons a little, except he's 5 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I loved Lyle the cleanup master.
So efficient at keeping house clearing the zone and goading the opposition.
Odelein's D game was under rated look at his season when we last won the Cup he ended up +35.
He followed that up with a 40 point season the year after.

But Odelein could never shoot a puck 100+ mph.

With his on ice presence, physicality, shot, underrated skill set and leadership qualities, Xhekaj could emerge as a core player for the Canadiens this year. If his potential is fulfilled and if he stays healthy, Xhekaj can provide a positive impact for the team that exceeds what Odelein ever did.

I see some of the Odelein comparisons a little, except he's 5 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier

They are not the same species.

 

[Tyson]

Give the "A" to Arber for this preseason game!

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Give the "A" to Arber for this preseason game!

A smart and simple gesture and acknowledgement that can go a long way. Just as what happened when Mailloux was appointed captain for the two game rookies' series against the Leafs. While most fans think that the awarding of the "C" s and "A"s are merely symbolic, if not ritualistic, gesture, to players, it has a much more stirring meaning. It's a recognition and acknowledgment of a player's leadership and importance to his teammates. It boosts a player's confidence. A factor that can materially affect a player's confidence and ultimate performance and success.

With this team's storied history the appoint of captaincies and assistants has always had a special meaning and a consequential responsibility.

Smart idea.

 

[Tyson]

A smart and simple gesture and acknowledgement that can go a long way. Just as what happened when Mailloux was appointed captain for the two game rookies' series against the Leafs. While most fans think that the awarding of the "C" s and "A"s are merely symbolic, if not ritualistic, gesture, to players, it has a much more stirring meaning. It's a recognition and acknowledgment of a player's leadership and importance to his teammates. It boosts a player's confidence. A factor that can materially affect a player's confidence and ultimate performance and success.

With this team's storied history the appoint of captaincies and assistants has always had a special meaning and a consequential responsibility.

Smart idea.

They recently asked him to mentor younger players so that tells me they see Arber as a future leader of this team.

 

[Rapala]

But Odelein could never shoot a puck 100+ mph.

With his on ice presence, physicality, shot, underrated skill set and leadership qualities, Xhekaj could emerge as a core player for the Canadiens this year. If his potential is fulfilled and if he stays healthy, Xhekaj can provide a positive impact for the team that exceeds what Odelein ever did.


They are not the same species.

Exactly I felt a number of our members have already decided what he is despite his age and his continual progression.
Like just about every other prospect we have who are still in ascension.
You would think they would learn given Suzuki's trajectory as a forward when it's universally acknowledged that Dmen will take longer to develop.
Arber has always had a much higher ceiling than Lyle Odeleine.

 

[Tyson]

Exactly I felt a number of our members have already decided what he is despite his age and his continual progression.
Like just about every other prospect we have who are still in ascension.
You would think they would learn given Suzuki's trajectory as a forward when it's universally acknowledged that Dmen will take longer to develop.
Arber has always had a much higher ceiling than Lyle Odeleine.

In his own right though Lyle Odelein had an amazing career. 7th round picks rarely are this good at the NHL level. I believe his brother was a 1st round pick who didn't make it.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

They recently asked him to mentor younger players so that tells me they see Arber as a future leader of this team.

I think that it is readily apparent that Xhekaj is already an important leader on the team. So much so that he is probably one of the growing few who is an untouchable in the eyes of Hughes and Co.

 

[LaP]

In his own right though Lyle Odelein had an amazing career. 7th round picks rarely are this good at the NHL level. I believe his brother was a 1st round pick who didn't make it.

You kind of need to have seen Odelein plays to understand. Statistically he was nothing special. But man he was a special player. Loved him a lot.