LW Florian Xhekaj - Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL (2023, 101st, MTL)

[Marc the Habs Fan]

I like wifi junior but he is an overager playing against mostly younger kids. Any decent hockey player will look great in this situation. I'd hold my horses on the hype. He might make 4th line nhl just from toughness and fighting ability though if he can avoid stupid mistakes.

To be clear, he is not an overager. This is his age 19 season. Next year he would be an overager.

I do agree that he profiles a 4th liner if he makes it. I think ultimately you set the bar as maybe he can be a better Nicolas Deslauriers. I would send him back to the OHL next season as a 20 year old to dominate offensively. I don't think playing a minimal role in the AHL next season would be a good thing.

 

[Gillings]

To be clear, he is not an overager. This is his age 19 season. Next year he would be an overager.

I do agree that he profiles a 4th liner if he makes it. I think ultimately you set the bar as maybe he can be a better Nicolas Deslauriers. I would send him back to the OHL next season as a 20 year old to dominate offensively. I don't think playing a minimal role in the AHL next season would be a good thing.

hitting 70 points would be nice ?

 

[Gillings]

I like wifi junior but he is an overager playing against mostly younger kids. Any decent hockey player will look great in this situation. I'd hold my horses on the hype. He might make 4th line nhl just from toughness and fighting ability though if he can avoid stupid mistakes.

He makes some good decisions and translates his skills to give him a chance at winning the battle. His skating sometimes shows he possesses quality iQ of the game. I see some fight to his game which helps. All in all I think a good 4th line player in the NHL is an underrated thing.

 

[viceroy]

I would send him back to the OHL next season as a 20 year old to dominate offensively. I don't think playing a minimal role in the AHL next season would be a good thing.

He also needs more reps at Centre. I think that extra season in the O would help greatly there. Then a couple of seasons in the A and he'll be good to go.

I think he gets to the NHL but he takes the scenic route.

 

[jfhabs]

I'd probably send him back to junior. Laval is already a young team and we will be adding Beck, Mesar, Hutson, Reinbacher, Engstrom... Maybe one of the D makes the team but still.

Considering he lost a year of development with COVID, it's not dramatic to send him back.

 

[Maple Leaf]

We draft for bone growth not talent

Bone growth? What type of bone are we talkin about?

 

[montreal]

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I'd probably send him back to junior. Laval is already a young team and we will be adding Beck, Mesar, Hutson, Reinbacher, Engstrom... Maybe one of the D makes the team but still.

Considering he lost a year of development with COVID, it's not dramatic to send him back.

He also need to bulk up and knowing his genes he will most likely be challenged a lot when he turns pro. Better stay one more junior season.

 

[montreal]

 

[montreal]

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

To be clear, he is not an overager. This is his age 19 season. Next year he would be an overager.

I do agree that he profiles a 4th liner if he makes it. I think ultimately you set the bar as maybe he can be a better Nicolas Deslauriers. I would send him back to the OHL next season as a 20 year old to dominate offensively. I don't think playing a minimal role in the AHL next season would be a good thing.

He has the potential to be far more than Deslauriers if he improves his skating.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

 

[Favster]

His progression curve is definitely interesting, really similar to his bro's tbh. Hopefully he keeps it up.

 

[montreal]

I don't think he'll play the next game since it's in 2 days as I assume he hasn't been with the team yet so Houle might not risk it since it's a must win game for Laval who by win % is barely out of the last playoff spot but by pts is just holding on but everyone has games in hand on us. I would play him but not sure Houle would as he didn't with Roy last year I believe for the 1st 2 games he watched from the press box before putting him in.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

He has the potential to be far more than Deslauriers if he improves his skating.

He’s already a superior skater to Deslauriers.

 

[montreal]

 

[montreal]

 

[montreal]

 

[montreal]

A highlight package of his season,

 

[EXTRAS]

Will be a fun player to watch in the AHL next year. Let's hope for a Tom Wilson trajectory!

 

[CowbellConray]

Will be a fun player to watch in the AHL next year. Let's hope for a Tom Wilson trajectory!

I think he is similar to maybe Auston Watson type trajectory. Will be an NHL guy at 22/23 years old with size/snarl. Dont know if his offensive game translates

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Will be a fun player to watch in the AHL next year. Let's hope for a Tom Wilson trajectory!

That seems highly highly unlikely lol

 

[EXTRAS]

That seems highly highly unlikely lol

all players like that seem unlikely. id say his brother is maybe one of the closest comparables for turning out like a wilson (but dman), so you never know. I thought Jeannot would get there at one time, but he petered out. its always fun to watch young guys try and get there though!

 

[montreal]

good game from Xhekaj today,



Xhekaj Goal 1:37
Hage Nice Shot/Goal 4:21
Hage & Harris Tick Tack Toe Goal 4:58
Hage & Harris Strike Again 5:38
Thorpe Goal 9:05
Xhekaj Nice Goal 16:00

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

No suprise that this monster is terrorizing dev camp