Captain97
Registered User
Hopefully him and his brother always are. Haven't you seen the Childhood photos?
They were huge Habs fans growing up.
Arber Xhekaj
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Hopefully him and his brother always are. Haven't you seen the Childhood photos?
They were huge Habs fans growing up.
How could anyone not love Arber's amazing underdog story? Good family, good kid, good player. But as others have said, I'd hate to see his role reduced to being an enforcer. What a waste. I hope he develops into a solid 2nd pair D and saves the fighting for rare occasions.
Would love to have a guy like him on the Nucks. Even if he tops out as a bottom pairing defender, having a guy as tough as him that can positively contribute to a team is always a huge win. And if he continues to improve, it just keeps getting better for MTL.
Hopefully he can stay injury free, particularly head injury.
Hopefully he can stay injury free, particularly head injury.
McShogun99
Registered User
JeffreyLFC
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
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I could make a case about him having a similar career path to Zdeno Chara (I know and well aware that he is one of the best defenseman of his generation). The point, is Chara was a giant on ice but he had to constantly prove the doubter, he was too slow, sluggish, not enough good enough offensively. He got better every year, improved his skating, got stronger, improved his positioning and his offense and by his 7th season in the NHL, he was finally considered a #1 defenseman. He had to work very hard and he was even a throw in for Yashin. I think Xhekaj has started to show some of that improvement in his game already, every year he seems to get better and improve. He might not just be a bottom pairing defenseman as some are claiming. He has decent offensive skills and his defensive positioning is improving. He is obviously very strong and he has a very good shot. He might take 4 or 5 more years to polish his game but I believe he has more to offer than some people might think.
As a Leafs fan I absolutely love what Arber brings to the game, wish we had him. Mean, plays with an edge, not afraid to hit and get physical/fight. He's not just a goon either, he can be an impact player, he's the kind of guy every team would LOVE to have come playoff time.
Makes me sick saying this about a Hab.
Makes me sick saying this about a Hab.
JeffreyLFC
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- Sep 29, 2017
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As he? They questioned every habs players after last game and every one of them, including the coaching staff gave Xhekaj all praise. Norlinder is an offensive defenseman who lack any consistency and he has tendency to be very streaky. There are no comparison between them, Xhekaj is a key player.
Adam McQuaid could play. 3rd pair is no insult nor a requirement he be an enforcer.
MOGlLNY
Hotel Cuck Chair Adams
- Jan 5, 2008
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Reaves seatbelted when Xhekaj grabbed him. They’ll go again and I think Reaves is gonna get pounded.
Sasha Orlov
Lord of the Manor
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He’s a guy that can play and also happens to be one of the toughest players in the league
Habs should sign him long term, players like him do not come along often
Habs should sign him long term, players like him do not come along often
hamzarocks
Registered User
I see a better Adam Mcquaid in him
A great 4/5D who has the ability to bring size and physical play along with fights.
Guys like him do get injured pretty often due to high intensity game style. Hopefully he can avoid being injured too often
A great 4/5D who has the ability to bring size and physical play along with fights.
Guys like him do get injured pretty often due to high intensity game style. Hopefully he can avoid being injured too often
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I used to think Xhekaj was a goon that could play hockey. I am now a firm believer that Xhekaj is a young physically strong and skilled dman who happens to be a good fighter.
Emphasis this season should be on his defensive game and his transition game. Arber can legitimately skate, defend and move the puck. Below is a nice sequence from Wed when he defended Knies - who is surprisingly hard to knock off the puck - then transitioned up ice (unfortunately you don't see the play develop further).
Too much emphasis is made on Xhekaj's fighting / toughness and not enough on his legitimate hockey skills. Its unfortunate that he has to fight Reeves / Looch every time they play.
Emphasis this season should be on his defensive game and his transition game. Arber can legitimately skate, defend and move the puck. Below is a nice sequence from Wed when he defended Knies - who is surprisingly hard to knock off the puck - then transitioned up ice (unfortunately you don't see the play develop further).
Too much emphasis is made on Xhekaj's fighting / toughness and not enough on his legitimate hockey skills. Its unfortunate that he has to fight Reeves / Looch every time they play.
SannywithoutCompy
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- Dec 22, 2020
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Obviously the fighting is the first thing people will notice about him, but he's still a pretty raw player. Good in a bottom pairing role, and seems to have the drive to develop into a top 4 guy.
Right now he's good at defending off the rush but can get a bit lost with in-zone coverage (in fairness, a pretty common theme with Montreal's defense). He's got a hard and accurate first pass, which our forwards sometimes have trouble corralling. Offensively he's got a real knack for getting shots through traffic, making him the anti-Petry.
Just an interesting jumble of a player, he's like the starting build for a defenseman that 90% of EASHL players would choose if they could.
Right now he's good at defending off the rush but can get a bit lost with in-zone coverage (in fairness, a pretty common theme with Montreal's defense). He's got a hard and accurate first pass, which our forwards sometimes have trouble corralling. Offensively he's got a real knack for getting shots through traffic, making him the anti-Petry.
Just an interesting jumble of a player, he's like the starting build for a defenseman that 90% of EASHL players would choose if they could.
JeffreyLFC
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That is the thing, we are conditioned to believe fighters are bottom pairing or 4th line player. We forget that in rare occasion they can become legit good players. Xhekaj is not playing in the NHL only for his fighting, he has way more to offer.
OldCraig71
Sleeveen
He's more than that and time will tell how much more. He is really good at getting pucks through from the point, he didn't get an NHL contract just to prove what he could do against the tough guys in the league. Let's not forget that it takes defensemen longer to round into the player they will become, we see it all the time. Arber is a rare breed in this new NHL, he is the type that will do what it takes for his teammates and that is a valuable quality to possess in any sport. There is more to building a good team than just having guys that get 100 points or have flashy skills, there is more that goes into winning than what is reflected on the score sheet. I believe that he can be a 3-4 defender in time, can skate, and can take away time and space from opposing forwards, the player every team covets because they know what it takes to win.
Agreed. The problem the Habs have is that Xhekaj is much better on his left side (LHD) than on his right side. With Matheson and Guhle already well established and with Lane Hutson coming in likely next year, where does Xhekaj fit? He struggles on his right side.
Habs are going to have to move Matheson or play him on his right side.
JeffreyLFC
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I am not concerned. It's a slow process not a sprint. Xhekaj can start with bottom pairing assignment for now and some #2 PP, if Guhle or Matheson get injuries, he could take their position. The key for him is to get play time and improve his offensive game. Eventually, in a couple seasons from now, he could replace Matheson.
Bunch of Jurcos
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Captain97
Registered User
Derailed75
Registered User
Thats not even remotely correct. As a Canes fan he would be slotted well behind both Chatfield and D'Angelo. Ahl level on the Canes
He made the team on one of the worst if not the worst team in the league. Still hell of a personal accomplishment being undrafted and getting a roster spot, but truth is that would be a hell of a lot tougher on most teams in the league and impossible on some
Sasha Orlov
Lord of the Manor
- Jun 22, 2018
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Is it seriously easier to make the roster of the worst team in the NHL? Wow! That’s big news to everyone I’m sure
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