Surely with all these great dmen montreal isn't the worst defensive group in hockey.
Value of: Arber Xhekaj value in a trade
- Thread starter HabsAddict
- Start date
Intangir
Registered User
Pittsburgh exists.
But yeah, the time when MTL wouldn't trade Xhekaj for a late first has passed a long time ago, when he failed to show much progress from his rookie year to now.
I say that, but even now Xhekaj has some value as a bottom-pairing defenseman with some toughness and upside left to tap into, more than people will admit to on HfBoards at least.
Xhekaj is also currently playing a much steadier game now than he (and the entire team to be clear) was earlier in the year, a time where the qualificative "trainwreck" would have been apt in describing Xhekaj and the team's defensive play overall.
But if we look at recent Habs' games, before the recent wins in Columbus and Edmonton the Canadiens weren't playing that bad in the couple games prior to that.
They were just losing-out because of costly mistakes at critical times, the goalies (mostly Primeau but Montembeault too) allowing a bunch of softies, and/or not getting the bounces to go their way at all when it mattered.
If the whole team keeps up that level of defense throughout the year, I actually think the Habs could turn their season around some and actually not finish in the absolute basement of the league.
Last edited:
Intangir
Registered User
Go check your stats again.
EDIT: As of the 19th of November, MTL allowed 71 goals in 19 games whilst Pittsburgh allowed 80 goals in 20 games.
Everybody has to eat crow sometimes, this is just your day.
Pittsburgh has allowed 78 from both evolving hockey and pro hockey reference.
Ahh, found it. Whatever site you're using counts shootout losses as goals against. Find a better site.
But yes, with the game today the canadiens have moved to 2nd last in goals against rate.
Anyway, the problem is you see shit like:
Xhekaj is worth 13th overall+
Guhle is worth a top 10 pick++
Matheson is worth a mid 1st
Savard is worth a 1st
Struble/Barron are all valuable pieces
And then the things you hear about Hutson.
Imagine hearing this about the sharks dcore, or the penguins dcore, or the ducks dcore.
The sum of the parts = dogshit, but all of the parts are gold?
ICanMotteBelieveIt
Registered User
- Jan 11, 2013
- 8,689
- 5,226
Walksss
Registered User
- Mar 26, 2013
- 662
- 1,251
Nobody said Xhekaj is worth 13th+ anywhere. I remain surprised Romanov got moved for that price but whatever it was good value.
Yeah Guhle is worth a ton.
Matheson for sure returns a 1st round pick, no question. Savard of last year does as well. This year he's been much more sketchy, maybe the wheels are coming off at 34, but he's been better in the last stretch of games. Depends how he's playing in March but that's the prototypical cup contender pickup, he'd have a market if he's healthy and playing decent.
Barron and Struble are at this point worth very little, every team has players like that. They aren't worth nothing though as they are both young with decent potential.
Hutson is unreal as a 20 year old rookie and is absolutely untouchable in any trade. You can quote whatever nonsense advanced stats you want, he's going nowhere ever.
HuGort
Registered User
Value (or not) aside, a 2025 first rounder cant wear skates.
I have doubts that Wifi can ever be more than a 3rd pairing DMan, and whether he can be much more than a goon. If that is the case, then yes a 1st is something you should jump that.
However, to make that decision, you need to be sure that whatever you take up from laval is ready for minutes. I think those guys would benefit more from Laval's success than NHL minutes, not to mention they are not all meant for 3rd pairing duties.
I wouldnt say the GM is bad; just that there are likely more considerations.
