Arber Xhekaj

[Nogatco Rd]

The real question is where does he go in a redraft?

 

[waffledave]

He's going to surprise people with his point production. He scored 5 goals in 52 games as a rookie dman who had zero expectations as far as his offensive game. He didn't play a ton of minutes and was often in the box. But he has a knack for hitting the net, especially through traffic. I don't know what it is but he is just able to hit the net, often and consistently. He's going to put up points doing that, it's not going to be fancy but pucks will go in or they'll lead to goals in front of the net.

 

[OldCraig71]

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

The truth is that the rest of the league is now kicking themselves for allowing him to slip through the cracks and go undrafted.

 

[Bocephus86]

Would love to have him. The Habs McQuaid?

 

[OldCraig71]

The real question is where does he go in a redraft?

The fact that he's a hab would make me expect most posters would take him in the 7th round or not at all.

 

[LesCanadiens]

Good story, but he is nothing more than a bottom pairing defender.

Maybe you haven't actually watched him play enough to make a call. He can skate, and has a very good wrister and slapper. That most importantly he finds a way to get the puck on net through traffic. MSL has already said he'll be on PP2. And, he's only 22. Objectively, I think he's more than a 3rd pairing d-man. Needs to tighten-up his defensive coverage and decision-making a bit and he'll easily be a lock for the 2nd pairing...and I haven't even touched on his obvious toughness and very high character traits.

 

[LesCanadiens]

He’s awesome but that Reaves fight was a draw.

Reaves hits Guhle.
Arber jumps in.
Reaves gets a few shots.
Then Arber does.
Then they go into the net.

But then Reaves was avoiding him all game! Yeah, almost like there’s some sort of code between players and it was a close game, or something.

Fearless and I respect that - but you don’t want him fighting every game because he’s actually a very good player, great at clearing the crease and getting shots through.

Arber appeared to be in total control in that confrontation. Reeves appeared to be in trouble and only was saved by the net.

Guhle is his very good buddy. They hung out in Mexico this summer. He'll always protect his teammates. Always. So if anyone takes a run at any Hab player, they do so at their own peril. Love this player!

 

[HockeyVirus]

Hopefully him and his brother always are. Haven't you seen the Childhood photos?

They were huge Habs fans growing up.

Yes and it is sickening lol.

 

[MS]

For my money he's the toughest player in the NHL right now. Wish he was on my team, has been a great find for Montreal.

Plus his development curve as a hockey player is really impressive.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Would love to have him. The Habs McQuaid?

Hopefully the Habs McLooch.

Looch got into the Habs heads for a longtime when he was at his prime and was still a top-6 forward. It would be nice to have a player that can do the same but on D.

 

[NyQuil]

Heavyweights who can play a regular shift are pretty rare these days, so it's nice to combine the fighting skillset with the ability to play regular minutes against any opponent.

A lot of teams that still have heavyweights have to pick and choose the opponents to insert them into their line-up, which minimizes the deterrence factor they are supposed to be bringing.

Not to mention, their icetime is usually pretty heavily rationed or sheltered, which in today's fast-paced game can be problematic for the rest of the line-up.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

How's his skating? I'm aware of him, but think I've only seen him play twice.

Pretty good

 

[LeProspector]

Maybe you haven't actually watched him play enough to make a call. He can skate, and has a very good wrister and slapper. That most importantly he finds a way to get the puck on net through traffic. MSL has already said he'll be on PP2. And, he's only 22. Objectively, I think he's more than a 3rd pairing d-man. Needs to tighten-up his defensive coverage and decision-making a bit and he'll easily be a lock for the 2nd pairing...and I haven't even touched on his obvious toughness and very high character traits.

He might be better in the future, but right now he is a 3rd pairing defender.

 

[Siludin]

Xhekaj is a good 7th/8th defenseman and that's probably where he would play on a playoff team.
Andrew Alberts with greater intimidation factor.
Montreal will probably get some calls for him at the deadline, but I think they should keep him for as long as they can.
He seems to be really beloved by the fans, provides the team with energy and confidance.
He could carve out a bit of a Tie Domi/Gino Odjick type of legacy in Montreal.

 

[42]

Unpopular opinion: the only reason he's valuable is because of his toughness. If the NHL bans fighting, he would be out of the league.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Unpopular opinion: the only reason he's valuable is because of his toughness. If the NHL bans fighting, he would be out of the league.

Are they also going to ban hits and shots from the point?

 

[Il Stugotz]

Yes
YES

 

[Frank Drebin]

I'd love him on the Oilers.

You have vinny

Unpopular opinion: the only reason he's valuable is because of his toughness. If the NHL bans fighting, he would be out of the league.

If the NHL bans hockey in Toronto your team is going to have to relocate

 

[Mitch nylander]

The real question is where does he go in a redraft?

Decently high:

He'd be in the Jack Hughes year:

From that draft only 76 players have played a game in the NHL. Which means he'd be minimum 3rd round.

Of those 76 - Here are players I take above him:

Forwards (12):
Jack Hughes
Trevor Zegras
Matt Boldy
Dylan Cozens
Cole Caufield
Kirby Dach
Mattias Maccelli
Shane Pinto
Kaapo Kakko
Alex Newhook
Philip Tomasino
Artur Kaliyev

Defence (3)
Moritz Seider
Bowan Byram
Cam York

Goalie (1)
Spencer Knight

Outside the top 16

-------

In the same range:

Forwards (4):
Peyton Krebs
Nils Hoglander
Vasili Podkolzin
Juuso Parssinen

Defence (3):
Philip Broberg
Tobias Bjornfot
Victor Soderstrom

I think the answer would be anywhere between 17-24. Pretty incredible rise for an undrafted player.

 

[ITM]

A player in the Leafs backyard that we missed…again.

 

[lomiller1]

I get that people love a great story, but that's all he is so far. He was arguably one of the worst D-men in the NHL last year. In spite of being super heavily sheltered he was near the bottom of the NHL for xGA/60 xGF/60 and xGF%. Nearly everyone he was on the ice with was significantly better defensively they didn't have to play with him.

 

[waffledave]

Yes
YES

Don't board a guy right next to him and you won't get jumped. What the f*** does he expect? Lmao

 

[Garbageyuk]

Good story, but he is nothing more than a bottom pairing defender.

He has potential to be a little bit more, but right now he is a bottom pairing defender.

That’s great, he is very tough. But as of now, he is still a bottom-pairing defender who got outplayed by Norlinder in camp.

He might be better in the future, but right now he is a 3rd pairing defender.

This guy has an axe to grind.

 

[PB37]

Yes
YES

Reaves is going to get rag dolled again. I think his pride was a little hurt that WiFi controlled that entire exchange. I'm telling you, this kid suprises other players with his strength.

 

[Sypher04]

Reaves is going to get rag dolled again. I think his pride was a little hurt that WiFi controlled that entire exchange. I'm telling you, this kid suprises other players with his strength.

Odds are more often than not that the player jumping the other is usually going to control the fight. Even despite that Reaves still landed equal shots, maybe even the edge before they crashed into the net. I’d call it a draw. I’d be interested to see a bout between these two where both have the opportunity to square up first. Two tough customers. Could go either way.