Prospect Info: Florian Xhekaj

[FrankMTL]

I think it's more what he's been doing lately then since the start of the season.

He has 14G and 12 A in his last 26 games.

10 goals in his last 10 games

The progression has been crazy

Watching the Rangers last night, it would be amazing if he became a Will Cuylle type player.

 

[Tyson]

1G 1A tonight

 

[Zilo44]

Incredible storyline

 

[FrankMTL]

1G 1A tonight

Updated numbers.

11 goals in his last 11 games

15 goals and 13 assists in his last 27 games (basically from the start of December)

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

I'm starting to think he was steal in the fourth round.

 

[Tyson]

I'm starting to think he was steal in the fourth round.

Time will tell but the fact that they put him at center this season and he is doing really well is promising.

 

[Intangir]

I'm starting to think he was steal in the fourth round.

Florian Xhekaj definitely has nice NHL upside. He could be a (taller, meaner) Brock Mcginn type of player for us with some more positive development, and that's absolutely awesome value for a fourth-round draft pick if he ever gets there.

That said, to me personally draft "steals" entail getting ridiculous value out of later picks, guys like Jamie Benn, Ondrej Palat, Henrik Zetterberg, and others of that ilk.

As such, I really don't think I will ever personally call Florian Xhekaj a "steal", but I sure hope he makes me eat those words and I agree that this pick looks better by the day like you implied.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Bend it like Bedard Florian

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Where does Florian play next season? He will be an overager if he remains in the OHL. He can play in Laval next season but may not be ready for pro.

 

[montreal]

Where does Florian play next season? He will be an overager if he remains in the OHL. He can play in Laval next season but may not be ready for pro.

it's the middle of Feb, they can figure that out in Sept/Oct

 

[Junohockeyfan]

it's the middle of Feb, they can figure that out in Sept/Oct

I want an answer now dammit.

 

[habsterr]

I want an answer now dammit.

OHL as an overage player.

 

[Wayfarer13]

OHL as an overage player.

The use if the term overage really makes little sense using on a player who is drafted in his second year of eligibility. Makes more sense to use on a player in is 3rd year of draft eligibility

 

[vokiel]

it's the middle of Feb, they can figure that out in Sept/Oct

I think the question should have been can he play in the AHL if we sign him?

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

I think the question should have been can he play in the AHL if we sign him?

I think he can play in the AHL.

 

[Habs13]

Where does Florian play next season? He will be an overager if he remains in the OHL. He can play in Laval next season but may not be ready for pro.

I'd like him to play AHL and see how he adjusts to it. If he struggles there's always the ECHL.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

The use if the term overage really makes little sense using on a player who is drafted in his second year of eligibility. Makes more sense to use on a player in is 3rd year of draft eligibility

Overage is determined by age, not draft status.

I'd like him to play AHL and see how he adjusts to it. If he struggles there's always the ECHL.

I would rather see him in the OHL than ECHL.

 

[Habs13]

Overage is determined by age, not draft status.


I would rather see him in the OHL than ECHL.

The idea being that he plays against bigger, meaner players than he would find in the OHL. See if he can adjust to that. If he's going to play a robust game, better to learn to do it against real opposition over pushing kids about the ice.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

The idea being that he plays against bigger, meaner players than he would find in the OHL. See if he can adjust to that. If he's going to play a robust game, better to learn to do it against real opposition over pushing kids about the ice.

His skill set is still in early development being a late bloomer. I would rather have him concentrate on his skills (skating, stickhandling, shot) than on fighting dummies in the ECHL.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

The idea being that he plays against bigger, meaner players than he would find in the OHL. See if he can adjust to that. If he's going to play a robust game, better to learn to do it against real opposition over pushing kids about the ice.

I agree.

Facing a stronger level of competition will spur greater development. Look at Slafkovsky.

Right now, FX is relying too much on his size advantage playing against 17 and 18 year olds. That can result in developing bad habits.

The more I watch this kid, the more I feel his pathway to the NHL is not as long or farfetched as some think. This is not a player that is solely trading off on his name recognition.

It would not surprise me if he gains a bit more quickness, that he makes the AHL next year. I can’t see FX being that much less effective than Kidney has been this year.

 

[Habs13]

I agree.

Facing a stronger level of competition will spur greater development. Look at Slafkovsky.

Right now, FX is relying too much on his size advantage playing against 17 and 18 year olds. That can result in developing bad habits.

The more I watch this kid, the more I feel his pathway to the NHL is not as long or farfetched as some think. This is not a player that is trading off on his name recognition.

It would not surprise me if he gains a bit more quickness, that he makes the AHL next year. I can’t see him being that much less effective than Kidney is this year.

Exactly! I get the feeling he, like his brother, would rise to the challenge. Seems the Xhekaj family is a hard-nosed, blue collar group and facing tougher opposition now could help him become an absolute beast in the NHL. A 3rd or 4th line menace that could also chip in points.

 

[vokiel]

I think he can play in the AHL.

If he's technically allowed to play in the AHL, and he can compete at that level, I don't see why we'd want him to go back to the OHL. He's 6'4" ~200 lbs, he's not getting any intangibles out of playing juniors.

 

[jrom]

If he's technically allowed to play in the AHL, and he can compete at that level, I don't see why we'd want him to go back to the OHL. He's 6'4" ~200 lbs, he's not getting any intangibles out of playing juniors.

He needs to bulk up after his growth spur (he said it himself). It might make more sense to stay as a overager, get used to that new weight and keep getting reps at C.

A big part of his game is physicality but it won’t translate automatically vs men in the AHL. He probably gets traded to a contender also if he comes back.

 

[Zilo44]

Florian only has 2 OHL seasons under his belt.

And while he is a nice surprise, he is not too good for this league.

Bring him along slowly and let him dominate in his 3rd Ohl year.

Pat Kane was too good for the OHL. Same for McDavid.

Xhekaj is just playing well