Prospect Info: Florian Xhekaj

[417]

You bring up a great point...another season learning the center position in the OHL is not a bad thing

Is it a good thing? Cause that's the only thing that should matter.

Progression, not stagnation.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

see

Then I suppose its better for him to improve by facing a faster paced league where he isn't a giant

The rate and circumstances related to the development of any player is not reliant on any one factor. Just the physical maturation process may be enough.

I think Florian, despite his limitations in quickness can play at the AHL level. As I said earlier, if Kidney can play at that level, Florian, who is big , stronger and has superior straight line speed than Kidney, can play in the AHL. Unless Florian is overwhelmed by that level of competition, I would start him in Laval and see if he can adapt and thrive. Who thought Florian would have had any where near the offensive success he is enjoying this year with the Bulldogs?

As noted, player development is not a predictable science. Not nearly.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

The only reason I would consider having him repeat on the OHL next year is because he was moved to center during the season. So the thought would be to get him as much work in at center although so far as someone that's seen a lot of his games, he's actually handled the change very well as I am shocked at often how good he does on draws.

In my opinion all good forward prospects should play center in junior even if many of them won't play there in the NHL if they get that far. I still see him as a winger but you never know. I don't think that him playing center in Brantford has anything to do with a permanent change in his development although it certainly could lead to that.

I am somewhat on the fence with what to do with him but I am leaning towards Laval. Ultimately I trust HuGo to make the right decision here as they have far more information than any of us do. If he is going to play in Laval he will need to bulk up this summer as he will be a target in the AHL.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

The only problem with Xhekah in the AHL next year is he will 100% get 4th line minutes, he won't have much of a chance to work on his offense

 

[BaseballCoach]

The only problem with Xhekah in the AHL next year is he will 100% get 4th line minutes, he won't have much of a chance to work on his offense

A stint in the ECHL might allow him to seek points. Another year of not being physically challenged in the OHL, where the players are 1 to 4 years younger than him and on average 6 inches shorter, is not the best for him.

 

[Mrb1p]

The only problem with Xhekah in the AHL next year is he will 100% get 4th line minutes, he won't have much of a chance to work on his offense

And we'll have Mysak 2.0. Take your time with your players, it doesn't hurt. The only thing it hurts is their wallet, maybe.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

And we'll have Mysak 2.0. Take your time with your players, it doesn't hurt. The only thing it hurts is their wallet, maybe.

Pretty much. Zero need to rush him.

I'll be honest too I don't know what the best strategy for developing 4th liners is. Xhekaj is a guy that best case scenario becomes a 4th line player for us, although we hope he is a valuable one.

Is it best to play him 4th line in the AHL where he can get a better feel for his role in the NHL? Or is it better to let him continue to work on his offensive game in the OHL, where clearly he has shows promising signs and there still looks to be room to run with his development?

Or is it possible to give Xhekaj top-6 minutes in the AHL next year? I don't see how Laval won't get steamrolled again all season if we do that, it isn't really fair.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Pretty much. Zero need to rush him.

I'll be honest too I don't know what the best strategy for developing 4th liners is. Xhekaj is a guy that best case scenario becomes a 4th line player for us, although we hope he is a valuable one.

Is it best to play him 4th line in the AHL where he can get a better feel for his role in the NHL? Or is it better to let him continue to work on his offensive game in the OHL, where clearly he has shows promising signs and there still looks to be room to run with his development?

Or is it possible to give Xhekaj top-6 minutes in the AHL next year? I don't see how Laval won't get steamrolled again all season if we do that, it isn't really fair.

based on that LNH.com article on him today and his quotes, it sounds like the habs asked him to fight less and develop his offensive skills. I think the habs might actually view him as a top 9 power forward. Wether that ever materializes is another question

 

[montreal]

The only problem with Xhekah in the AHL next year is he will 100% get 4th line minutes, he won't have much of a chance to work on his offense

I wouldn't say that as we don't even know what position they would try to develop him in Laval.

Pretty much. Zero need to rush him.

I'll be honest too I don't know what the best strategy for developing 4th liners is. Xhekaj is a guy that best case scenario becomes a 4th line player for us, although we hope he is a valuable one.

Total bullshit.

 

[Mrb1p]

Pretty much. Zero need to rush him.

I'll be honest too I don't know what the best strategy for developing 4th liners is. Xhekaj is a guy that best case scenario becomes a 4th line player for us, although we hope he is a valuable one.

Is it best to play him 4th line in the AHL where he can get a better feel for his role in the NHL? Or is it better to let him continue to work on his offensive game in the OHL, where clearly he has shows promising signs and there still looks to be room to run with his development?

Or is it possible to give Xhekaj top-6 minutes in the AHL next year? I don't see how Laval won't get steamrolled again all season if we do that, it isn't really fair.

I think its almost always better to have a guy over simmer in your broth than taking him out early. Of course if you have wagyu beef like Mcdavid you dont care about that, but those are too expensive.

 

[Rapala]

And we'll have Mysak 2.0. Take your time with your players, it doesn't hurt. The only thing it hurts is their wallet, maybe.

I don't see this at all. Mysak is a finese player and his value will always depend on his production.
Florian will hopefully bring a heavy game with solid board play and great net front (both ends)
These are all traits we desperately need in the organization the fact that he doesn't have hands of stone is a bonus.

 

[Mrb1p]

I don't see this at all. Mysak is a finese player and his value will always depend on his production.
Florian will hopefully bring a heavy game with solid board play and great net front (both ends)
These are all traits we desperately need in the organization the fact that he doesn't have hands of stone is a bonus.

Mysak was probbaly the best defensive forward in the CHL in his last season, it's his production that was lacking, and is still lacking. By bringing him too early he never could work on his offensive game, and thus here we are.

 

[HuGort]

based on that LNH.com article on him today and his quotes, it sounds like the habs asked him to fight less and develop his offensive skills. I think the habs might actually view him as a top 9 power forward. Wether that ever materializes is another question

Get physical third liner in 4th round is a steal

 

[Gillings]

Pretty much. Zero need to rush him.

I'll be honest too I don't know what the best strategy for developing 4th liners is. Xhekaj is a guy that best case scenario becomes a 4th line player for us, although we hope he is a valuable one.

Is it best to play him 4th line in the AHL where he can get a better feel for his role in the NHL? Or is it better to let him continue to work on his offensive game in the OHL, where clearly he has shows promising signs and there still looks to be room to run with his development?

Or is it possible to give Xhekaj top-6 minutes in the AHL next year? I don't see how Laval won't get steamrolled again all season if we do that, it isn't really fair.

Some players don’t grow without facing top level opponents. There comes a time in development you need to see what you have in the show and that isn’t going to happen with half of the prospects each team drafts.

A better solution would be a guaranteed 15+ games in a row before the age of 22. Should you pass the physical ofcourse and be medically cleared to play.

I truly believe we miss out on ALOT of good hockey players because they don’t look “good enough” for thr NHL playing in lower leagues. Injuries are one thing.

This also creates something else. Passion and hunger knowing you will actually get a shot in the NHL to show yourself as a player.

I guess this would take a lot more honesty from the league eh.

 

[Rapala]

Mysak was probbaly the best defensive forward in the CHL in his last season, it's his production that was lacking, and is still lacking. By bringing him too early he never could work on his offensive game, and thus here we are.

That is high praise I've never heard from any other source.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Some players don’t grow without facing top level opponents. There comes a time in development you need to see what you have in the show and that isn’t going to happen with half of the prospects each team drafts.

A better solution would be a guaranteed 15+ games in a row before the age of 22. Should you pass the physical ofcourse and be medically cleared to play.

I truly believe we miss out on ALOT of good hockey players because they don’t look “good enough” for thr NHL playing in lower leagues. Injuries are one thing.

This also creates something else. Passion and hunger knowing you will actually get a shot in the NHL to show yourself as a player.

I guess this would take a lot more honesty from the league eh.

Is passion and hunger encouraged by guaranteeing players 15+ consecutive NHL games even if they don't do well in the AHL?

 

[Gillings]

Is passion and hunger encouraged by guaranteeing players 15+ consecutive NHL games even if they don't do well in the AHL?

I don’t know, it’s just an idea to maximize the potential of each player drafted. I think 99% of players want to be in the show and not in junior leagues so giving those players the ability to have those games, to me, is a start.

 

[Sorinth]

Is it best to play him 4th line in the AHL where he can get a better feel for his role in the NHL?

No, that never works. The difference between making the NHL in a 4th line role and being a career AHL isn't a players strengths but their weaknesses. So for Xhekaj it will be his skill and speed, they need to be at a high enough level that he isn't a liability and that he can make normal NHL plays at the NHL pace. So even if you want to develop Xhekaj to be a 4th liner in the NHL the best role to do that in the AHL is to play in the top-6.

 

[BaseballCoach]

No, that never works. The difference between making the NHL in a 4th line role and being a career AHL isn't a players strengths but their weaknesses. So for Xhekaj it will be his skill and speed, they need to be at a high enough level that he isn't a liability and that he can make normal NHL plays at the NHL pace. So even if you want to develop Xhekaj to be a 4th liner in the NHL the best role to do that in the AHL is to play in the top-6.

I don't disagree but Rome wasn't built in a day. Most AHL rookies that are not high draft picks start in the bottom-6. If they do well they move up later. I agree with you they would need to make plays at the AHL level as a top-6er before successfully graduating to the NHL.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Pretty much. Zero need to rush him.

I'll be honest too I don't know what the best strategy for developing 4th liners is. Xhekaj is a guy that best case scenario becomes a 4th line player for us, although we hope he is a valuable one.

Is it best to play him 4th line in the AHL where he can get a better feel for his role in the NHL? Or is it better to let him continue to work on his offensive game in the OHL, where clearly he has shows promising signs and there still looks to be room to run with his development?

Or is it possible to give Xhekaj top-6 minutes in the AHL next year? I don't see how Laval won't get steamrolled again all season if we do that, it isn't really fair.

There is no set formula or road map for any player's success. Florian will largely be the player he will be regardless of where he plays. Its only a question of timing. If he isn't being overwhelmed by playing in the AHL, his pathway to the NHL may be accelerated. If anything, the team will have a much better idea of his potential playing against superior opposition.

 

[HuGort]

Florian scored his 30th goal tonight. Bigger players usually take longer to develop. He could be a steal

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Florian scored his 30th goal tonight. Bigger players usually take longer to develop. He could be a steal

A 6'4" Gallagher that can fight, what not to like.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Florian scored his 30th goal tonight. Bigger players usually take longer to develop. He could be a steal

Florian Jackeye, so hot right now

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

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.

IMO, I would qualify anyone who becomes an NHL regular drafted fourth round or later as a steal. When only what? 50% of first rounders make it, that’s a home run for the scouting department

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.

Good point. I think FXs skill set and size will allow him to carve out a role in the bottom six. I just don’t see how Kidney makes our squad.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

I don't see this at all. Mysak is a finese player and his value will always depend on his production.
Florian will hopefully bring a heavy game with solid board play and great net front (both ends)
These are all traits we desperately need in the organization the fact that he doesn't have hands of stone is a bonus.

Mysak being a finesse player is only true in a universe where you can be big or be finesse. No inbetween.

Mysak is a smart hard working player with decent but limited skills. He may yet become what he can be, which is a decent to good 4th liner.