Prospect Info: Florian Xhekaj

[Wats]

FLORIAN XHEKAJ: 2ND PLAYER IN THE AHL HISTORY WITH 20+ GOALS AND 150 PENALTY MINUTES

Who's the other?

 

[habsprospects]

Who's the other?

Cédric Paquette in 2013-14

 

[Habs]

I love the kid, I don’t think he’s a MSL guy, too tough.

 

[McGees]

Will be an elite 4th liner for us

 

[Sam de Mtl]

Will be an elite 4th liner for us

I wouldn't put a cap on his potential like that. He has shown an ability that could complement a scoring line eventually if his skating keeps on improving.

A Knuble type of player is not out of the question imo.

 

[Tyson]

I wouldn't put a cap on his potential like that. He has shown an ability that could complement a scoring line eventually if his skating keeps on improving.

A Knuble type of player is not out of the question imo.

Poor man's Adam Lowry.

 

[FrankMTL]

Florian’s 23rd! What a rookie season for him. He’s tied for 4th in goals in rookie scoring.

 

[Shutdown]

Poor man's Adam Lowry.

nearly identical rookie AHL seasons, points-wise

Lowry was a 3 months older throughout his rookie season. 17 goals, 33 points in 64 games. 23 goals, 34 points (so far) in 69 games for Xhekaj

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Poor man's Adam Lowry.

Lowry is a 3rd line centre that every team dreams to have.

 

[Shred]

I love the kid, I don’t think he’s a MSL guy, too tough.

MSL seems to love Anderson who is plenty tough, no?

 

[WeThreeKings]

MSL seems to love Anderson who is plenty tough, no?

Said it before and I'll say it again. The notion that cup winning MSL doesn't value toughness or physicality, is completely unfounded and bonkers.

 

[Shred]

I wouldn't put a cap on his potential like that. He has shown an ability that could complement a scoring line eventually if his skating keeps on improving.

A Knuble type of player is not out of the question imo.

Knuble’s first scoring season he was already 30 years old. My memory’s not that good but stats seems to indicate he replaced Guerin on Boston’s top line with Joe Thornton then played with Forsberg in Philadelphia. Gotta be patient with big guys exhibit *insert large number*. He was a late round pick who played 4 seasons at university then 2 in the AHL. Atypical career for sure. Joel Otto a lankier tough guy comes to mind as well.

 

[Miller Time]

Said it before and I'll say it again. The notion that cup winning MSL doesn't value toughness or physicality, is completely unfounded and bonkers.

Seriously...

And of all the people who would have a good sense of what "deterrent" value an "enforcer" has for skilled players, you'd think a 5'8 player that survived 1134 NHL games, a big chunk of which through the height of the clutch and grab era, would be best positioned to have a very informed perspective

 

[Habs]

MSL seems to love Anderson who is plenty tough, no?

He hated Anderson till he shit kicked Wilson he ‘puts up with him’ doesn’t love him like he does the other characters

 

[Miller Time]

He hated Anderson till he shit kicked Wilson he ‘puts up with him’ doesn’t love him like he does the other characters

You do realize Anderson played a career low rate this season, right?

MSL played him almost 3min/game more in their first full season together...

So, according to you, the more he likes a player, the less he plays him, amirite

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Will be an elite 4th liner for us

Florian’s toughness is as overstated as his skill level is underestimated.

I’ve watched most of this kid’s games since we drafted him and always came away impressed with his combination of size, vision, shooting ability and straightforward speed. It therefore came as no surprise that Florian scored 23 goals this year. As I have noted previously, the only missing element in Florian’s game is quickness. That deficiency is slowly improving. If completely addressed, Florian is no mere 4th liner: elite or otherwise.

This kid will be a core player for the team going forward.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Could become our very own Tom Wilson without the dirtiness

 

[FrankMTL]

Florian’s 24th!!

 

[David Suzuki]

Could become our very own Tom Wilson without the dirtiness

or with I'm not picky

 

[Habs]

You do realize Anderson played a career low rate this season, right?

MSL played him almost 3min/game more in their first full season together...

So, according to you, the more he likes a player, the less he plays him, amirite

Stop coming at me with facts you know I tend to post out of emotion!

 

[Redux91]

This kids gonna help the big club in a couple years bigtime

What an absolute pleasant surprise this guy has been my god

He's 20 yrs old still lol
Good for him, he seems to have chemy with Beck too

 

[The Last Red]

Has he surpassed Beck as a prospect?

 

[Essenege]

I love the kid, I don’t think he’s a MSL guy, too tough.

MSL loves forecheck in his bottom 6 though. Also a lot less penalizing to have your grit on a 4th line.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the team out of camp.

When your AHL team finish #1 overall with that many young players you have to leave spots open. Savard and Armia spot are up for grabs, I see Flo Jack and Reinbacher or Mailloux stepping in. Engstrom should also be given an opportunity to compete for Struble / Xhekaj spot.

 

[Kojo]

Weird season. 5 points in his first 25 games then 5 points in one game and he ended the season with a hat trick. Interesting prospect.

 

[OldCraig71]

The Xhekaj brothers are quick studies. No one expected the younger brother to show up in Laval and score 24 goals, most would have been happy with 10-15, and some toughness to go with it.