Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Beendair Donedat]

He’s a lot more Souray than Odelein.

Similar build, similar playing styles, Xhekaj is a better skater, both guys can fire the puck like it was shot out of a cannon, both play a mean/physical game and intimidate the opposing team, both guys injured early and often (shoulders, wrists and hands for Souray, shoulders for Xhekaj), both became leaders for the club, both guys with a good sense of humour and self deprecation.

We simply need Xhekaj to develop Souray’s ability to know and understand when it’s time to unleash the pain on the opposing team, and to start using his booming shot more frequently. He’s always been an unpolished gem, just needs to take that next step to reach his enormous potential.

 

[Rapala]

He’s a lot more Souray than Odelein.

Similar build, similar playing styles, Xhekaj is a better skater, both guys can fire the puck like it was shot out of a cannon, both play a mean/physical game and intimidate the opposing team, both guys injured early and often (shoulders, wrists and hands for Souray, shoulders for Xhekaj), both became leaders for the club, both guys with a good sense of humour and self deprecation.

We simply need Xhekaj to develop Souray’s ability to know and understand when it’s time to unleash the pain on the opposing team, and to start using his booming shot more frequently. He’s always been an unpolished gem, just needs to take that next step to reach his enormous potential.

True if he ever develops some of Lyle's characteristics in the D zone it's a huge win IMO.
Odeleine was Mr. Reliable off the glass and made it look simple.

 

[Tyson]

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.

Very well said.

 

[CHwest]

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.

One of my favorites along with Keane and McPhee. Those guys played heavy games.

 

[LaP]

One of my favorites along with Keane and McPhee. Those guys played heavy games.

I was so sad as a young adult when we moved from Muller, Chelios, Odelein, Keane and cie to a more "milk drinking choir" team. Was the end of an era and the team never recovered. I like that size seem to be important to our current management. Two of the three top 5 picks they drafted are tall and they acquired Dach and Laine. They went for big guys after the 5th overall in this draft too. You can have small players like Hutson but you need a few big guys in your team and ideally not all 4th liners. Hope Xhekaj will develop his offensive game Odelein was an enforcer but he could play hockey when needed.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Hope Xhekaj will develop his offensive game Odelein was an enforcer but he could play hockey when needed.

I knew a fella who played against Odelein (Regina days) and with/against others like Fleury, Brind’amour, etc … and he said Odelein’s hands were as good as any of the top players.

Not sure if that was the case, but he was later Moose Jaw‘s top point producing D for 3 straight seasons … never top 3 in PIMs, always behind Keane and Fleury.

The PIMs shot up with the baby Habs.
2nd season with Moose Jaw: 70 PIMs;
2nd season with Sherbrooke: 265 PIMs (9 more games).

How this relates to Xhekaj is that he will also do what it takes to set him apart, even if he is skilled.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

I knew a fella who played against Odelein (Regina days) and with/against others like Fleury, Brind’amour, etc … and he said Odelein’s hands were as good as any of the top players.

Not sure if that was the case, but he was later Moose Jaw‘s top point producing D for 3 straight seasons … never top 3 in PIMs, always behind Keane and Fleury.

The PIMs shot up with the baby Habs.
2nd season with Moose Jaw: 70 PIMs;
2nd season with Sherbrooke: 265 PIMs (9 more games).

How this relates to Xhekaj is that he will also do what it takes to set him apart, even if he is skilled.

Odelein had great hands, remember when he shot the puck into the Sabres bench on purpose?

 

[LaP]

Odelein had great hands, remember when he shot the puck into the Sabres bench on purpose?

Odelein did lot of .... sort of questionable things on purpose. Mathieu Schneider and Damphousse too.

 

[overlords]

Odelein had great hands, remember when he shot the puck into the Sabres bench on purpose?

I once fouled a ball right at an opposing team's loud mouth coach in little league and got an ovation from the bleachers. Core memory.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

I once fouled a ball right at an opposing team's loud mouth coach in little league and got an ovation from the bleachers. Core memory.

And I am so happy you shared it with us! Awesome!

Odelein did lot of .... sort of questionable things on purpose. Mathieu Schneider and Damphousse too.

It’s what made the Smurf era shortly after those guys even harder to take.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

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

And Odelein would wipe the floor with Xhekaj and probably everyone in the league now.

 

[overlords]

And Odelein would wipe the floor with Xhekaj and probably everyone in the league now.

Maybe. The only player I think I would have ever bet on winning that sort of height/weight disparity would be Rick Rypien.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Maybe. The only player I think I would have ever bet on winning that sort of height/weight disparity would be Rick Rypien.

Tie Domi.

Chris Nilan wasn't very big. A lot of the super tough players weren't very big.

It helps to be that tough when you fight more in a year than 99.99999% of the players now fight in a career.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Was at the game tonight. I thought Xhekaj looked quite a bit better than he did last pre-season. Much more composed. Much better defensive zone coverage. I see a lot of upside with him, still.

 

[overlords]

Was at the game tonight. I thought Xhekaj looked quite a bit better than he did last pre-season. Much more composed. Much better defensive zone coverage. I see a lot of upside with him, still.

Loved seeing him step up at the blue line

 

[Rapala]

Was at the game tonight. I thought Xhekaj looked quite a bit better than he did last pre-season. Much more composed. Much better defensive zone coverage. I see a lot of upside with him, still.

He was awesome and his pairing was stout. Didn't chase the big hit all night and they finally came to him in the third.
Brink is probably still feeling that first one a bit.

 

[Rapala]

Loved seeing him step up at the blue line

Yup it was the one thing that impressed me most last season once he understood the message.
Xhekaj owned his space and players were avoiding that space purposely...

I just loved it not having seen it since we traded for Dach.

 

[habbubba]

Was at the game tonight. I thought Xhekaj looked quite a bit better than he did last pre-season. Much more composed. Much better defensive zone coverage. I see a lot of upside with him, still.

He played a more steady game,not roaming too much, smarter,more mature.

 

[ngc_5128]

I knew a fella who played against Odelein (Regina days) and with/against others like Fleury, Brind’amour, etc … and he said Odelein’s hands were as good as any of the top players.

I remember once where Odie scored twice in a game, one of those was a beauty end-to-end rush. His big goofy grin was even bigger than usual for the post game interviews that night. They called him Lyle Gretzky on TV for like 3 weeks worth of games after that.

 

[Tyson]

I have been on the Xhekaj hype train since day 1. With that said I hope he shows something tangible this season.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I have been on the Xhekaj hype train since day 1. With that said I hope he shows something tangible this season.

Yeah, rough game yesterday.. in ways he might have been the worst of the guys playing yesterday. Engstrom had the bigger gaffe but overall felt Xhekaj struggled a bit.

But pre-season isn't really where he's most effective.

 

[OldCraig71]

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.

Yes I agree, I loved him as a hab. In the same way I liked McPhee, Skrudland, Keane and others. There is more to a hockey game than appears on the scoreboard. If we want a good group with long-term success, we need guys that go to war for their brothers. Talent alone is not enough, see Toronto.

Yeah, rough game yesterday.. in ways he might have been the worst of the guys playing yesterday. Engstrom had the bigger gaffe but overall felt Xhekaj struggled a bit.

But pre-season isn't really where he's most effective.

I agree with this. He isn't exactly the type of guy that rises to the occasion in a game of preseason shinny.

 

[Rapala]

Yes I agree, I loved him as a hab. In the same way I liked McPhee, Skrudland, Keane and others. There is more to a hockey game than appears on the scoreboard. If we want a good group with long-term success, we need guys that go to war for their brothers. Talent alone is not enough, see Toronto.


I agree with this. He isn't exactly the type of guy that rises to the occasion in a game of preseason shinny.

Montreal would do well to keep players like Xhekaj and Barron on their strong sides.
When they start interchanging in the Dzone things get dicey.
When they were paired together they stayed put and were fairly efficient.
Neither is equipped to play with Hutson who will leave his partner in tight quarters on occasion.

 

[Vachon23]

Didn’t like the fact that he did absolutely nothing after Domi cross check on Hutson

 

[Skip Bayless]

Didn’t like the fact that he did absolutely nothing after Domi cross check on Hutson

MSL neutered him.