Prospect Info: Florian Xhekaj

[DAChampion]

He’s the perfect 4th line center. Have a feeling he’s gonna surprise at camp next year. He will bulkup in the summer.

It's one summer. How much difference will it make if he puts on 3 or 4 lbs of muscle?

 

[Favster]

It's one summer. How much difference will it make if he puts on 3 or 4 lbs of muscle?

Wouldn't be surprised if he comes in 10-15 heavier. He's at the age where natural growth still happens and he's very tall and lanky.

 

[DAChampion]

Wouldn't be surprised if he comes in 10-15 heavier. He's at the age where natural growth still happens and he's very tall and lanky.

He's 20, putting on 4 lbs of lean mass a month for four months when he's already seen the inside of a gym seems very unlikely, even if he were to use steroids.

 

[Favster]

He's 20, putting on 4 lbs of lean mass a month for four months when he's already seen the inside of a gym seems very unlikely, even if he were to use steroids.

It really depends if he naturally fills out or not. It obviously wouldn't all be muscle but my frame got much wider in my early 20s. It might not happen but it isn't impossible; he's a tall lanky dude

 

[TomKosto]

It's one summer. How much difference will it make if he puts on 3 or 4 lbs of muscle?

A good 8-10

 

[Mrb1p]

He's 20, putting on 4 lbs of lean mass a month for four months when he's already seen the inside of a gym seems very unlikely, even if he were to use steroids.

Lean or not, weight will help him in the corners.

 

[Favster]

Lean or not, weight will help him in the corners.

For sure, he can up his weight without it all being muscle. He kind of still have a teenagers body

 

[HabsAddict]

Having a 245 pound brother will easily see him compete to put on some weight. I see him in the Anderson range of 220-225.

I just hope he takes some boxing lessons to protect his hands. He's ultra aggressive and he's going to be in a fight or 50....

 

[Goalfield13]

It's one summer. How much difference will it make if he puts on 3 or 4 lbs of muscle?

He's improved dramatically since his draft year. One summer can mean a lot for this guy.

 

[domiwroze]

I am in complete Awe with his game. He is everything I wish he could have been in his first year as a pro.

I believe he is one of those gems that you rarely find in those 4-7rounds. His overall game from the start of the season to right now is night and day, he took a giant step in the right direction.

Thank god for a good coach in Laval, finally.

 

[Tyson]

First 26 games- 3G 2A
Last 43 games- 21G 9A
Youngest player on the team, Vincent uses him on the PK, late in games and he takes important face offs in his own zone protecting leads.

 

[Adam Michaels]

First 26 games- 3G 2A
Last 43 games- 21G 9A
Youngest player on the team, Vincent uses him on the PK, late in games and he takes important face offs in his own zone protecting leads.

He progressed as the year went on. And that's what you want. You don't want things handed to your prospects. Earning it is what's best for them.

He also had 175 penalty minutes. I could be wrong, but I believe he's the first rookie ever in the AHL to have 20+ goals with 150+ penalty minutes.


I really hope Thorpe has a similar type of progression next year. Because I feel like Florian and Thorpe being on the Habs' Bottom-6 in a few years will make a difference.

 

[Essenege]

Wouldn't be surprised if he comes in 10-15 heavier. He's at the age where natural growth still happens and he's very tall and lanky.

Every time a player bulks up like this in the offseason he comes in slower. Better off taking the slower route weight wise.

 

[Deebs]

Every time a player bulks up like this in the offseason he comes in slower. Better off taking the slower route weight wise.

Absolutely, do it right. There's no rush for Flo anyways, he has another couple years down there anyways.

 

[Favster]

Every time a player bulks up like this in the offseason he comes in slower. Better off taking the slower route weight wise.

This isn't always the case with really young guys. Natural size increase is perfectly normal for a 20 year old. Hell he could even still grow an inch even though it's unlikely. My point is it's possible that he might get bigger without affecting his speed due to natural growth.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I am in complete Awe with his game. He is everything I wish he could have been in his first year as a pro.

I believe he is one of those gems that you rarely find in those 4-7rounds. His overall game from the start of the season to right now is night and day, he took a giant step in the right direction.

Thank god for a good coach in Laval, finally.

I was thrilled with him last year. Still thought an overage year in the O was the way to go.

But what a second half. Never would’ve dreamed. His development curve is special. He’s gonna be a huge addition to this team. He could probably play anywhere in the lineup.

One of my favourite prospects ever since he switched to C last year with the Dogs. To have such a giant frame to have skill and smarts is wild for a 4th rounder.

 

[Andrei79]

First 26 games- 3G 2A
Last 43 games- 21G 9A
Youngest player on the team, Vincent uses him on the PK, late in games and he takes important face offs in his own zone protecting leads.

For context, that is a 35 goal 50 point pace over the 72 AHL games, which is extremely impressive for a rookie. I also thought the scoring pace followed the eye test. Xhekaj wasn't getting lucky, he was making translatable plays over 200 feet of the ice. He's a really unique player.

 

[Habs]

I would take a Florian over armia any day of the week

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

For context, that is a 35 goal 50 point pace over the 72 AHL games, which is extremely impressive for a rookie. I also thought the scoring pace followed the eye test. Xhekaj wasn't getting lucky, he was making translatable plays over 200 feet of the ice. He's a really unique player.

I watched his highlights last year religiously and I couldn’t believe his decision making. I just kept waiting for him to make a mistake or a giveaway. I rarely saw it. Nothing flashy but he distributed the puck almost flawlessly. Flashes of fairly high end skill. Couldn’t believe it.

Honestly if he was a late 1st, he’d get more consideration for that 2C spot. Not saying it’s him for sure but if everything goes right I wouldn’t be shocked

 

[Andrei79]

I watched his highlights last year religiously and I couldn’t believe his decision making. I just kept waiting for him to make a mistake or a giveaway. I rarely saw it. Nothing flashy but he distributed the puck almost flawlessly. Flashes of fairly high end skill. Couldn’t believe it.

Honestly if he was a late 1st, he’d get more consideration for that 2C spot. Not saying it’s him for sure but if everything goes right I wouldn’t be shocked

I agree 100%. Hes a very smart player, which is why even though he's a rookie, he gets a lot of the difficult assignments on the best team in the AHL. He looks like a first rounder out there.

 

[Tyson]

I agree 100%. Hes a very smart player, which is why even though he's a rookie, he gets a lot of the difficult assignments on the best team in the AHL. He looks like a first rounder out there.

24 goals, 175 PIM's for a kid who turned 20 right before the season started is pretty damn impressive. Habs may have stolen one with this player.

 

[montreal]

I agree 100%. Hes a very smart player, which is why even though he's a rookie, he gets a lot of the difficult assignments on the best team in the AHL. He looks like a first rounder out there.

people laughed at me last year when I said he would go in the 1st round in a re-draft. Been saying since he started showing tons of progress last year that he's one of our top prospects and that's clearly the case now. Still has work to do though, that's what's so impressive is he went to the AHL at around 185 lbs which for a 6'4 tough guy is nuts in terms of balance alone.

 

[themilosh]

He's 20, putting on 4 lbs of lean mass a month for four months when he's already seen the inside of a gym seems very unlikely, even if he were to use steroids.

all comes down to his frame, propensity to add mass. some players can, others aren't so lucky.

 

[TT1]

Wilson didn't have that different of a development path, ofc reaching that level is gonna be hard but he has the tools/attitude

 

[Habsrule]

My controversial opinion;

F. Xhekaj is a better centre prospect than Beck.

Both are ideally third line centres and Xhekaj brings more to a team than Beck.