Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff

[Sorinth]

You need to rewatch the hit. Arbers two feet are on the ice at contact.

I remember the NHL talking about potentially doing something about these types of hits where the player starts to propel themselves upwards but times everything so that they haven't left their feet at the time of the impact, which is what Xhekaj did. But I don't remember what if anything came of it, probably nothing.

In any case, the hit wasn't any more dirty then Pare or Greig plays but with the ways refs try to "manage" games instead of just having a consistent standard that they stick to Xhekaj is pretty much always going to get the short end of the stick when it comes to the refs/supplemental discipline unless he finds a way to become an allstar calibre player because once you get that label you can commit dirty plays again with minimal reprecussions.

I have no issue with Xhekaj retaliating like this because as a team to do nothing is worse. That said if he can work on things so that he crushes people without as overtly stepping over the line that would be best.

 

[CDN24]

Struble has jumped him as of now. I still have Xhekaj as our 7th defencemen though.

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - Savard
Struble - Barron
Xhekaj

Sadly, Mailloux needs more time in Laval. First call up though.

I agree, Struble is the better d-man right now. I love what he Xhekaj brings but he can't be in your top 6 d-men. He now has a rep with the refs and like last night will not get the benefit of the doubt. You can't have a d-man taking 5 min penalties and getting tossed from the game, even if you manage to kill the penalties you are still playing the rest of the game with 5 D. That will lead to lost points in the standings. If the team is serious about being "in the mix" I don't think Arber can be one of your top 6 D.

Fast forward to game 1 against the leafs, now assume Arber and Reaves have a scrap. The ref decides he is nipping this in the bud and gives each guy 5 for fighting and a 10 Min Misconduct. who wins that exchange? the team with a 4th line plug in the box for a period or the team who has to play a period with 5 d men.

Unless you plan to dress 7 d and someone takes shifts on 4th line I don't see it working. If Arber wants a long NHL career he may have to become a winger- not sure he has ever played F.

 

[Natey]

Greig should get the exact same punishment yes.

Like Dach said, it's not even close to a hockey play.

Not sure why this says you replied to me, cause I see nothing here.

 

[Habby4Life]

I agree, Struble is the better d-man right now. I love what he Xhekaj brings but he can't be in your top 6 d-men. He now has a rep with the refs and like last night will not get the benefit of the doubt. You can't have a d-man taking 5 min penalties and getting tossed from the game, even if you manage to kill the penalties you are still playing the rest of the game with 5 D. That will lead to lost points in the standings. If the team is serious about being "in the mix" I don't think Arber can be one of your top 6 D.

Fast forward to game 1 against the leafs, now assume Arber and Reaves have a scrap. The ref decides he is nipping this in the bud and gives each guy 5 for fighting and a 10 Min Misconduct. who wins that exchange? the team with a 4th line plug in the box for a period or the team who has to play a period with 5 d men.

Unless you plan to dress 7 d and someone takes shifts on 4th line I don't see it working. If Arber wants a long NHL career he may have to become a winger- not sure he has ever played F.

Just who is going to get in Reaves way if he wants to act like a clown? No one.

There is no one in his league on the habs other than Wifi.

This idea that this is the norm from him is crazy. It was two cases of teams taking cheap shots on one of the habs best players.

A winger, that just non-sense. I do agree he has to work on his game to be a better D.

 

[Natey]

I dare someone to make a "value of Arber Xhekaj" thread on the main forums for the laughs.

 

[Habby4Life]

God I hope MSL and co don’t try to discourage Wifi from playing on the edge.

Both the Pare and Greig hits, all four other Habs on the ice just skated around and did nothing. MSL talks about pack mentality, this team has none. Panthers and Bruins all guys would have jumped him.

This team is so poorly constructed that Wifi is the teams only toughness. And Pezz, but he to be honest isn’t good at it.

Its Wifi, and Pezz, that’s it.

 

[EveryDay]

Sens fans on their board think that Arber was affraid of Tkachuk and turtle to save his life

 

[waffledave]

Next time Xhekaj takes a shot he be awarded an automatic goal since he intended to score.

 

[Habby4Life]

I’d like to see Hugo get Mathieu Olivier from the jackets. He be great on the 4th line and take a lot of pressure of Wifi.

If Wifi didn’t have to do it all, he could then focus more on his game.

Its got to be tough when your the only one who is expected to answer the bell.

 

[bud12]

God I hope MSL and co don’t try to discourage Wifi from playing on the edge.

Both the Pare and Greig hits, all four other Habs on the ice just skated around and did nothing. MSL talks about pack mentality, this team has none. Panthers and Bruins all guys would have jumped him.

This team is so poorly constructed that Wifi is the teams only toughness. And Pezz, but he to be honest isn’t good at it.

Its Wifi, and Pezz, that’s it.

Anderson can bring some when he want but they're is something of with him. The guy just doesn't care anymore. Tuch, imo, was a disapointment last game. He was a ghost. He's a big boy and will hit a bit but he doesn't seem to have mutch nastiness in him.

 

[First Line]

It’s a sad day in Habs media when George Laraque is the only guy making sense out there

https://bpmsports.ca/podcast/inaction-apres-les-blessures-georges-laraque-est-tanne/

 

[Frankenheimer]

Arber is not a goon, give me a break. He has the potential to be a very good and productive defenseman, who can also beat you silly if you look at his hamburger the wrong way.

GMs would be lining up to acquire him if he was on the market. He's not a dirty player. Two times he was called upon to do the dirty work by his team and coach, and both times he stepped up. His place is secure in Valhalla.

 

[waitin425]

I dare someone to make a "value of Arber Xhekaj" thread on the main forums for the laughs.

Value of: - Arber Xhekaj

Bottom pairing d man who can throw his weight around and provide protection for your superstars. Habs are flush with d-men and he may get squeezed out. Hit me with your best offer!

forums.hfboards.com

I got you

 

[Halakitlikethat]

Wifi is a horrible nickname, I wish it would stop.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Not sure why this says you replied to me, cause I see nothing here.

Sometimes it glitches I think

I’d like to see Hugo get Mathieu Olivier from the jackets. He be great on the 4th line and take a lot of pressure of Wifi.

If Wifi didn’t have to do it all, he could then focus more on his game.

Its got to be tough when your the only one who is expected to answer the bell.

Olivier wouldn't be cheap.

Habs had a chance to get some toughness and players that could be with the team for a few years and didn't really pursue that.

Flyers likely don't want to deal Deslauriers. Cbus likely doesn't want to deal Olivier to help look after their young players.

Ross Johnston, who isn't that good of a player is the best bet and I think he's ufa, so it would look more desperate than a trade.

 

[Mrb1p]

Not sure why this says you replied to me, cause I see nothing here.

Because I decided the mature thing to do was not to get into a pointless weiner length contest.

 

[bud12]

Jeffrey Viel would have been the best option. He was ufa and the habs missed the boat.

 

[bud12]

Sens fans on their board think that Arber was affraid of Tkachuk and turtle to save his life

They clearly don't know what "turtling" mean. And Tkachuk kicked Xhekaj butt in their imaginary fight that didn't happen.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

Arber's "turtling" somehow injured Tkachuk lol

 

[Team_Spirit]

Micheal Andlauer when he was still happy ( before buying the Sens )

 

[HuGo Sham]

Canadiens happy to have Xhekaj's fight: 'We stand up for one another'

When the Canadiens see Arber Xhekaj do whatever it takes to defend them, they value that more than most people understand. They don't want Xhekaj to change, nor should they.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Tyson]

Canadiens happy to have Xhekaj's fight: 'We stand up for one another'

When the Canadiens see Arber Xhekaj do whatever it takes to defend them, they value that more than most people understand. They don't want Xhekaj to change, nor should they.

www.sportsnet.ca

Good article

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

All the Sens fan freaking out, legal hit.

 

[Natey]

Because I decided the mature thing to do was not to get into a pointless weiner length contest.

Wait..... but you're the one that started it.

 

[Naslundforever]

This is where you dress him against the sens and they start targeting the big tough guy which is exactly what you want instead of him chasing. Or they chill out either way it’s a win.