Prospect Info: Florian Xhekaj
- Thread starter Adam Michaels
- Start date
I just listened to the 1st episode of Sick Podcast Rocket Report with Anthony Marcotte. They were talking about Florian and him being a center. Marcotte said he had asked Pascal Vincent what he sees in Florian to play him at center. Vincent told him, he sees an Adam Lowry in Florian.
Vincent was an assistant coach with the Jets when Lowry started his NHL career (he had played a full season of AHL before gradutating to the NHL). So he's not saying a random name to compare Florian to. He's mentioning a player he saw when he started.
Vincent was an assistant coach with the Jets when Lowry started his NHL career (he had played a full season of AHL before gradutating to the NHL). So he's not saying a random name to compare Florian to. He's mentioning a player he saw when he started.
If Xhekaj becomes close to Lowry we may in fact see the Habs win a Cup in the future.
le_sean
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lol I wouldn’t go that far. Lowry is a 35 point player. He’s a good player to have, but the Jets never did anything with him despite being surrounded by excellent pieces.
My point is that if you get a 6'4 Lowry type on your 3rd line it will make a huge difference. You need a good combination of skill, toughness, size to win a cup. Xhekaj can help with that if he pans out.
Habnot
Registered User
About a month ago, Pierre Dorion on BPM said that Florian was one of the 4 Rockets that are a sure thing to playing fulltime in the NHL (along with Reinbacher, Beck & Dobes).
I have been very impressed with his play at center. He covers a lot of ice. He has the attributes of an elite 4th line center. Big, phyical, PK , good hands, can contribute offensively and can drop the mitts if needed.
The only thing I am not sure of is his face-off abilities. If anyone has any info on that...
I have been very impressed with his play at center. He covers a lot of ice. He has the attributes of an elite 4th line center. Big, phyical, PK , good hands, can contribute offensively and can drop the mitts if needed.
The only thing I am not sure of is his face-off abilities. If anyone has any info on that...
BJCOLLINS
Registered User
If lil’Xhekaj can be our Lowry? What a score that provides our rebuild! His play this year is that of a bottom 6 stud C, and your right every successful team has one or needs one. Actually he looks to have better hands & straight away speed than Lowry, but it’s the heart that matters most with these guys. I’m excited to see how he develops…..he’s a load now?
Cheers
windycity
Registered User
Yeah, he's a super interesting prospect and fits a big need.
Anyone who looks at the points when talking about Lowry just doesn't get it.
Florian being the next Adam Lowly will be a god's gift to the Habs.
If the Jets had a real 2C and regular season Hellebuyck, they probably wins the cup this year.
Lowly is like the ultimate 3C with leadership, grit and character that wins you Championship.
KevSkillz4
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That would be very very amazing. Can't wait to see Florian at NHL level, this guy is more than legit and he have more than 4th liner potential.
dackelljuneaubulis02
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It’s a bummer he just has yet to have produced consistently over a year. Don’t know if I’d expend him but if I had to trade one of them it sure as f*** ain’t Flojack Horseman
KevSkillz4
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100%
I really like Beck aswell, but Florian Xhekaj will bring a little more with his physical attribute. Owen Beck can become a solid 3C aswell, but I would put him in a package to acquire something really good. Habs have a lot of great bottom 6 potential in their system with Heineman, Thorpe, Kapanen, Rohrer, Sawyer etc...
So yes, with Xhekaj progression, Beck is easily expandable to me. Even if I'm a big fan of his game.
Will see, if we keep both, that's great aswell. You win with players like Xhekaj and Beck!!
HabsAddict
Registered User
Bet my newly renovated outhouse that SMarty is going to try to "tame" LX because he doesn't fit the type of player SMarty thinks a team needs to win cups.
You can't "tame" someone who will do whatever it takes to win and hates to lose. You simply "break" them into irrelevancy.
We have a few of them in the AHL. LX, Davidson, Beck when he plays with those two, Mailloux, Tuch further behind, Hage is probably that style too. If SMarty starts to "break them", I much, MUCH rather get rid of SMarty.
You can't "tame" someone who will do whatever it takes to win and hates to lose. You simply "break" them into irrelevancy.
We have a few of them in the AHL. LX, Davidson, Beck when he plays with those two, Mailloux, Tuch further behind, Hage is probably that style too. If SMarty starts to "break them", I much, MUCH rather get rid of SMarty.
HabsAddict
Registered User
It's scary how fast Florian has progressed. He needs another 20 pounds of muscle and he will be a meaner Anderson.
We should NOT sign Armia when we have this many kids chomping at the bit to make the jump.
KevSkillz4
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Andy will be a great mentor for him. This year, Andy have been really good. I think keeping Anderson after his contract (not a big contract, for sure, but 1-2 years) would be a great idea for mentor the young players we are going to have in bottom 6. Like Thorpe, Beck, Heineman etc...
I 100% agree with you about Armia... we need to make some place for young players like Xhekaj.
HabsAddict
Registered User
A year ago we were trying to push Armia out the dooor...so he plays better in a contract year and all of a sudden he's "valuable". Nope, he's replicable by players 10 years younger then him. I don't care if he signs for a million, I want some of the bad hair, badly adjusted youngsters who will do whatever it takes to win.
BTW...he will be offered 2.5 multi by other teams....
Team_Spirit
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KevSkillz4
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I'm freaking sold on Xhekaj. He is easily my 4th best prospect right now behind, Hage, Reinbacher and Fowler. (Reinbacher #1, Hage #2 and Fowler #3).
This guy will have huge impact at NHL level, his intensity and offensive ability impressive me a lot. He will be able to play everywhere.
This guy will have huge impact at NHL level, his intensity and offensive ability impressive me a lot. He will be able to play everywhere.
So many here said Flo wasnt ready for AHL hockey this time last year and I got a lot of shit for saying he should play for the Rocket instead of being sent back to junior... well! Look at you all now!
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Last edited:
Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
Taking our time with him isnt a bad thing at all. He mostly just needs to get stronger and faster and keep limit testing.
We are taking our time with him but a level that is challenging him... and he is evolving with it, and is a key part of his team as a result.
Habitant#1
Registered User
There's something so cool about having a pair of brothers on the same NHL team, I really hope it works out!
Plus, Arbor Xhekaj needs some other agitators and aggressors on the team so that the referees aren't all focused just on him. Need to spread the heat around!
Plus, Arbor Xhekaj needs some other agitators and aggressors on the team so that the referees aren't all focused just on him. Need to spread the heat around!
I'm totally in the anti D to W position transition train but can you imagine Arber and Flo on the same line as LW - C? I hope they ask Arber to practice it a bit.
