Prospect Info: Florian Xhekaj

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His numbers don't look great, but if he has the development curve of Arber, he is going to be one hell of a pick.

That's what I'm thinking. I remember reading somewhere that he was actually a skilled player. The numbers don't look good, specially at that age, but he was a rookie in the CHL and Hamilton is where all offense goes to die.

Not saying he's some hidden gem or a steal, but I wouldn't be surprised if he shows something he didn't show at all last year.
 
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I knew that - I was taking a shot at Hockeydb - kind of a big fail, the GOHL should be on their radar
 
You can argue they took him earlier than expected, but I'm happy that Habs did grab a guy who plays with sandpaper. I'm not the type that just wants skill guy after skill guy after skill guy. I want variety in the pipeline. That's why if you look back to when Pez was still a prospect at Junior, I was among those who was singing his praises. And I continue to do so.
I figured they would take him when I seem him play. Tough guy he is
 
Honestly I'm glad they drafted him, just wish they didn't reach with a high 4th rounder. With that said, can to imagine this guy improving at the curve Arber did and becoming a monster 4th liner. He doesn't seem to have much experience so if he improves skating, keeps being mean, and gets stronger/smarter defensively...Habs are going make people cry.
 
If there's one thing we learned this year, is that you should never bet against a Xhekaj family member.
Happy for the kid, and actually don't mind he was picked in the 4th round.
I would not be one bit surprised that he actually cracks the lineup in 3-4 years when he grows in his frame.
 
Watching his fights, he doesn’t seem to have the power that his big brother has, but still has heavy hands and can switch up really nicely. Might have a better chin than big bro as well, as he’s not afraid to take one to give one. I have a good feeling about this pick, I think he will surprise some guys and be a fourth line staple in the future.
 
In a media interview last year Arber said he spent a summer eating / training non-stop because he realized he needed to gain significant mass / strength to make it to the NHL.

Hopefully his kid brother has the same drive. Even if he’s only the deputy sheriff in the AHL that will help the org.
 
Montreal's scout Matt Turek is the Hamilton's Bulldogs Interim General Manager and sees a whole lot of Florian Xhekaj. He also was responsible for us inviting Arber to a try-out. I'm trusting his judgement on Florian and that he was worth drafting at 101.

Also he comes from a family of 6
arber-xhekaj-family.webp

 
Hopefully they’ll be as good as Mario and Serge Roberge were. Mario was one of the all time best technical fighters I’ve ever seen, right up there with Langdon and Hunter, very intelligent fighter. Serge was even better and more of a loose cannon. I remember one time during an AHL game I think was between Fredericton and PEI, he (Serge) crosschecked Darcy Simon and broke his stick over his face. Hockey was a lot more violent back then.
 
We must have a full-time delayed bone growth scout on staff
I don't know how is that not a thing in the moment we speak.

Imagine passing on some guy because he's 5'7...two years later he's a 6'4 monster.

Unacceptable.
 

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