No room for Arber Xhekaj: Play him as a wing?

[admiralcadillac]

Harris had a rough game last. Makes sense he’s out.

However, Xhekaj, Harris, Kovacevic and Wideman are all different dmen. St Louis can slot them in accordance with the matchups.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Harris had a rough game last. Makes sense he’s out.

However, Xhekaj, Harris, Kovacevic and Wideman are all different dmen. St Louis can slot them in accordance with the matchups.

Well, Savard is showing wear and tear too. Not used to these minutes for several years.

 

[eklund the clown]

What exactly does Wideman bring to this team?.Play the kids and send Wideman packing or to Laval.Or Savard for that matter

 

[MilesNewton]

What exactly does Wideman bring to this team?.Play the kids and send Wideman packing or to Laval.Or Savard for that matter

Right handed D that can run the power play MSL trusts him and he knows the system when needed if all the kids blow up.

 

[admiralcadillac]

What exactly does Wideman bring to this team?.Play the kids and send Wideman packing or to Laval.Or Savard for that matter

Shiny new toy syndrome. He’s a different player to the kids.

 

[Belial]

What exactly does Wideman bring to this team?.Play the kids and send Wideman packing or to Laval.Or Savard for that matter

Wideman is not even playing!

The problem is not Wideman, the problem is that one of Harris, Xhekaj or Kovacevic has to be scratched every game.

 

[vHAB]

The main problem IMO is that simply sending him to Laval is a better option. If he was a year younger and it was NHL or juniors I think there would be some merit to the idea, on a very short term basis of course

 

[cphabs]

Drouin is on IR. There is no need to send anyone down with Matheson returning.

To me Xhekaj is the #5 D. Why would he need to go down?

Wideman is playing?

Correct. Still wouldn’t hurt to say it lol

 

[JohnTheBaptist]

Wideman is not even playing!

The problem is not Wideman, the problem is that one of Harris, Xhekaj or Kovacevic has to be scratched every game.

It's fine to rotate them for now. None of these players have really earned a permanent spot yet. Maybe the internal competition will be a good thing for them.

Shiny new toy syndrome. He’s a different player to the kids.

More like dull broken toy.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I dont mind if we bench the Axe a few games to become a better person , put michou up there with him maybe he will learn some class

 

[MXD]

I'd have no issue with Xhekaj playing a few games on the wing if needed.

 

[Banjo Cat]

Maybe we could put Wideman in goal.

 

[Schooner Guy]

I don't think Streit got confused at all. All he got was 62 points that year, his career high...

Streit and Jackeye aren't at all the same type of Dman. Also Streit played the point on our #1 PP unit that same year and left the team right after that season.

 

[Banjo Cat]

Streit and Jackeye aren't at all the same type of Dman. Also Streit played the point on our #1 PP unit that same year and left the team right after that season.

Yeah, Streit was a PP specialist.

 

[eklund the clown]

Wideman is not even playing!

The problem is not Wideman, the problem is that one of Harris, Xhekaj or Kovacevic has to be scratched every game.

Ha guess i have noticed although he's invisible when he does play.Get rid of Savard then if possible.Jackeye needs to play

 

[Kojo]

Interesting idea, but I'd be against it since he's still new, and still learning defense.

Byfuglien was almost the same age when the Hawks started to play him on the wing. Every player is different, but it worked well for him. Brent Burns played as a winger too, doesn't seem to have affected him negatively.

 

[Habs13]

What? No. Don't do that.

 

[26Mats]

Streit and Jackeye aren't at all the same type of Dman. Also Streit played the point on our #1 PP unit that same year and left the team right after that season.

Dustin Byfuglien then ...

Streit played the poi t with Markov feeding him to boot. But Streit had some really skilled goals 5 on 5...

 

[Gillings]

HF needs to block all posts or threads suggesting a d at f

Unless it was subban or Hutson

 

[ML16]

Xhekaj is definitely worth more developing as a defenseman with a mean streak - and shot! - than as a 4th line grinder; rotating between him, Harris and Kovacevic seems the way to go for now.

This being said, it’ll be interesting to see how and when Barron comes back into the fold, even more so since he’s the only natural RHD of the young guns.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Dustin Byfuglien then ...

Streit played the poi t with Markov feeding him to boot. But Streit had some really skilled goals 5 on 5...

He's not like Big Buff either. Buff spent the early part of his career in Chicago as a forward and had soft hands around the net. Jackeye's more of a Chiarot type with more upside. That's actually a good thing as these D are extremely valuable in the playoffs.

He'd be wasting his time up front.

 

[CapSpace]

Plz no more Dandouillon.

 

[A55P2]

Byfuglien was almost the same age when the Hawks started to play him on the wing. Every player is different, but it worked well for him. Brent Burns played as a winger too, doesn't seem to have affected him negatively.

Yeah. It's a far fetched idea, but there were other players in the same-ish mold who did it.

I mean if you'd ask me who would make the most sense of our D going to the wings I'd say him. He's big and somewhat fast. If he kept a simple game I could see it maybe working to an extent. We had goons in the past who played on the wings and they did alright.

Would be an interesting thing to try, but ultimately I don't think they're ever going to do it.

 

[salbutera]

NO!

 

[Habs10Habs]

Byfuglien was almost the same age when the Hawks started to play him on the wing. Every player is different, but it worked well for him. Brent Burns played as a winger too, doesn't seem to have affected him negatively.

Both Byfuglien and Burns were more advanced in their development than Xhekaj imo. You're right every player is different. It might work, but I'm not big on letting someone learn another position. Before they're atleast comfortable with the first one.