Player Discussion Arber Xhekaj: The Sheriff
- Thread starter Adam Michaels
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habdynasty
Registered User
- May 26, 2008
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Arber was the first to say he should be playing better (like he knows he can).
Canadienna
Registered User
- Jan 27, 2015
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MSL calling Xhekaj out is interesting, but I don't think it's necessarily proof he thinks poorly of him.
To me Xhekaj has just as much or more potential than every other D outside of Hutson/Guhle.
Sometimes you're harder on the guys who you know have more to give, even if their play doesn't deserve it relative to others.
To me Xhekaj has just as much or more potential than every other D outside of Hutson/Guhle.
Sometimes you're harder on the guys who you know have more to give, even if their play doesn't deserve it relative to others.
Sorinth
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- Jan 18, 2013
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There's also the argument that different personalities respond best to different motivational techniques, it's possible MSL believes a public criticism "fuels" Xhekaj more so then a private one.
Technically, MSL didn't call Xhekaj out, he was answering a question asked about Xhekaj to a journalist. Maybe the fans should ask the media why they never ask questions about Dvorak or Matheson.
Bourdon101
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2012
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This stupid take again...
It will never happen. They will never F the French media, it's by their biggest audience. This is just a reality. If you don't like it, pick a team who's fanbase isn't French. You have your pick of every other team in the league.
Regarding Xhekaj, I think it's clear that without him in the lineup, this team will get bullied. I would not be surprised if they traded for a bottom-6 enforcer just to be able to sit this kid.
Canadienna
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We'll to be fair, Dvorak and Matheson hadn't been sitting, which is what precipitated the question.
And I think it's fair to characterize MSL's comments as calling him out. He didn't have to answer the way he did.
Though like I said, calling him out isn't necessarily a bad thing.
...Umm, Marty, bruv... you're not a f***ing rookie coach anymore either, pal. Careful what fingers you start pointing.
habdynasty
Registered User
- May 26, 2008
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There's such an easy solution to this, too. How many of the current players are Francophones? Hmm. So maybe the team stops playing patsy to the media altogether and prevent coach from talking to the media altogether. Have two or three players show up to press conferences with Robidas or Hughes instead.
Habby4Life
First pick overall goes to the Montreal Canadiens
- Nov 12, 2008
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Someone should tell MSL he should do better, ffs.
But what do you expect when you hire a pee wee coach.
Sorinth
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I wouldn't be surprised if in 20 years things will be quite different. Traditional media/journalism is dying a slow death, and if Molson was smart he would try to accelerate that process by having the team engage more directly with the fans and skip over the middleman journalists.
For example, a reddit ama type of event after each game where fans can ask questions directly to the coach/players would make a lot of the media's job fairly irrelevant.
Beendair Donedat
Juice Arse 2.0
Good luck.
MSL is as close to a rockstar as this team has… the media here fawn over him at every turn. If he was to fart in a microphone, the entire crew on L’Antichambre would chip in to buy it
Habby4Life
First pick overall goes to the Montreal Canadiens
- Nov 12, 2008
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The media in Montreal has always had to kiss the ass of the Habs or they fall out of favor. You never get legitimate tough questions.
Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
Ive seen Olivier whathisname say that the team has checked out, but I doubt it's because of Martin, I think it's because of the roster and injuries. They know the team sucks, they were excited with Laine but now theres barely anythign to hold onto. I can't blame them.
The team will have to stop losing at some point because those habits are hard to break. I don't like the last two years of the rebuild at all /Demidov.
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
Wow more vicious hatred by Marty toward Arber
MXD
Partying Hard
- Oct 27, 2005
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I mean, it's not like he'd say "He had an average game" (which he had). Would be constructed as a vote of non-confidence or something.
Still roving too much in the D-Zone and ending up where he shouldn't be. Though he was used on both sides today, and mostly on the right which isn't where he has been playing so far, so he may have a bit mixed up.
Him and Mailloux can absolutely both be assets on the defensive side of the game. Xhekaj has to be really mindful of positionning, while Mailloux will just have to keep it stupid simple.
ryan callahan
Registered User
Great game by Xhekaj tonight (for all the **** I give him at times). Would be great to see him string 4-5 good games in a row. I think he and Struble will be key pieces on our bottom 2 pairs for the next 5 years.
