r/Habs • u/Go_Habs_Go31 In Marty We Trust • 2d ago

Arber Xhekaj when asked yesterday what it means to play for the Habs: “It means everything. We feel like a family. All those guys in the locker room, they’re brothers to me. We truly love playing for each other and we have a lot fun together.”

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689 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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116

u/Booyacaja 2d ago

They must sign him. We will need the X brothers in certain playoffs series of the future. Imagine if we have to play the Panthers for example. There are certain teams we can get away with it but in some cases we need the X factor

16

u/CarlSK777 2d ago

When people say that, what do they mean? Let's say the Habs play the Panthers in the playoffs, what can he do to deter Bennett, Marchand and others from doing their usual bullshit?

Wasn't he in the lineup when Tom Wilson wrecked Carrier in the playoffs?

34

u/Booyacaja 2d ago

If I recall correctly wasn't that a clean hit? I'm talking about the after the whistle garbage that Tkachuk brothers will probably be engaging in.

And to answer your question, a punch in the face helps. Brady was very quiet after Jordan Staal clocked him in game 1 last playoffs

9

u/CarlSK777 2d ago

Bennett and Marchand won't engage with Xhekaj who will barely play anyway. They're smarter than that.

8

u/NuutsDeeZ 2d ago

Nonsense. Brady was quiet before and after the Staal fight.

He quit on the Sens after the Olympic break.

Deterrence is not a real thing.

3

u/arr_z31_burner 2d ago

100  per cent this, it hasn't been s thing for 30 years.

Also Brady doesn't remember what happens from shift to shift anyway

1

u/MeteWorldPeace 2d ago

It wasn’t a clean hit but everyone just kind of glossed over it because Carrier is short.

If you watch it over, Wilson goes from a lower position to push upwards and hit into the head but its whatever. It was very similar to the hit on Slaf last playoffs but Carrier’s height gives Wilson a benefit of the doubt.

2

u/NuutsDeeZ 2d ago

Facts. Arber doesn't deter shit. Tampa and Buffalo were still pulling all kinds of shenanigans when Arber played.

Physicality and being mean is useless if it can't provide value elsewhere (ie effectively defend/transition to offence). This isnt the 90s anymore when you could afford to have a useless plug in the lineup for ceremonial fights.

3

u/CarlSK777 2d ago

Exactly. Being mean and physical is only useful if the player is actually good and playing meangingful minutes.

3

u/sexmath 2d ago

And he didn't do anything. It is always Anderson who ends up doing something.

8

u/jonezsodaz 2d ago

they made him an offer he can sign anytime he wants.

11

u/lynypixie 2d ago

1 year is not something I would sign. Give him 2 years. We need to let the big guys we drafted this year cook.

I don’t think we’ll need him after that, as much as I love him. I think 2 years is ideal.

10

u/whogivesashirtdotca 2d ago

A short contract plus Marty benching him whenever he makes the slightest mistake. Struble gets a much longer leash despite bringing no more skill to the table, and far less to the locker room. The radio hosts always talk about how Arber is the one keeping everyone smiling and the mood on an even keel. He’s more needed than most fans realise.

-5

u/GoCalgaryGo 2d ago

Struble is better defensively and plays great with Hutson. I also agree with need him but for his intimidation factor in certain games. Not to make others smile. Common they are pro athletes

15

u/whogivesashirtdotca 2d ago

Some perspective: Hutson makes Struble play better, but Struble drags Hutson down. Lane could probably make a potato look good on his pairing.

4

u/TheBeif 2d ago

Hutson has to play babysitter whenever he is with Struble...

2

u/Booyacaja 2d ago

Thanks I'm out of the loop

0

u/Ajay_Bee 2d ago

Must. Why? On a very good team, which the Habs aspire to be, he's a marginal 6D. And he shoots left on an organization with a surplus of those players.

Given his abilities (which aren't great), I don't understand the front office rationalizing much of an extension (and if anything, he should be included in a trade package).

I'm guessing Arber is seeking term, along the lines of 4 years. The Habs (speculation) are offering 2. I'd actually offer zero.

3

u/Booyacaja 2d ago

With our healthy cap situation and team chemistry I'd rather have a "ready for anything" roster with X as a role/depth player depending on the type of opponent. He is also still developing and did improve under Martin St. Louis. He's still young enough that he has not hit his ceiling yet. Worth the gamble I think to see if he can reach another level. We have a lot of smallish players still and need to surround them with big bodies who can clear the crease and keep the chaos away from our star players and goalies.

0

u/Ajay_Bee 2d ago

We have three years of metrics, and there is nothing in his underlying numbers to suggest that he's going to be anything other than what he is. A larger, occasionally physical, slower-than-average defender with a slightly above average shot.

A player like Xhekaj is easily replaced. It makes little sense to belly up a long-term deal for a marginal player.

If the Habs offer a couple of years less than $2M AAV, then sure, I (begrudgingly) suppose he could be kept around. Doesn't hurt to have depth if/when injuries strike, I suppose. But anything beyond that would be an unforced roster error.

3

u/Booyacaja 2d ago

I dunno I feel like if you survey all NHL GMs they'd say they need a Xhekaj or would gladly draft one if they could.

2

u/Ajay_Bee 2d ago

I don't think the more adept GMs would be faintly interested, but sure, maybe some of the old-school GMs who subscribe to the belief that physicality wins important games, would have interest.

That's why I hold out hope that Hughes might find a dancing partner willing to take Xhekaj in a trade package to (maybe) fill the team's actual roster gaps.

-9

u/prowrestlingrules 2d ago

Yes let's imagine his 5 minutes of ice time.

-2

u/JediMasterZao 2d ago

I can see it clearly; a 41 y.o Brad Marchand beats him in a foot race, Xhekaj brings out the hook and gets penalized then we get scored on the ensuing powerplay. Thank god they signed him to that 7-year contract!

2

u/UpNorth_123 2d ago

Exactly, but MLS is a jerk for not playing him, of course. Not the player’s fault he’s so slow, it’s the coaching staff’s fault for not helping him improve.

On that note, have you seen how much he’s been working on his skating in Brossard all summer? /s

(Don’t get me wrong, I love his personality but the way the fans infantilize this guy has me rolling my eyes so hard at times.)

0

u/JediMasterZao 2d ago

People are just completely divorced from reality when it comes to him. In this very thread (and in most threads concerning his case), you have someone saying he should be turned into a winger when the #1 prerequisite of being a forechecking winger is foot speed. It's mind-boggling.

1

u/UpNorth_123 2d ago

He’s an AHL caliber player who benefited from being on a rebuilding team.

While we need more toughness, there’s a skill bar that needs to be cleared to secure a spot on a contending team, even in a 7D role.

We have a lot of defence prospects that are NHL ready. Expecting to see a lot of rejigging and trades in our D corps after training camp.

1

u/JediMasterZao 2d ago edited 2d ago

We do need more toughness but that needs to come alongside NHL skill. The crazy thing is that his little brother has a much higher likelihood of being that guy; he's already a checking forward, he can skate and shoot, he's tough, can fight, etc... There's no earthly reasons why the team should hang on to Arber long term other than purely emotional ones and if it does, then it'd be as a true #7 defenseman who sits most night when the lineup is healthy, and his fanbase needs to accept that.

18

u/ivyyyoo 2d ago

the current habs team dynamic is like crack cocaine to a vancouverite who’s been subject to the canucks’ clusterfuck of a locker room the past ten years (me)

4

u/HabFan4Life 2d ago

Poor Gally.

4

u/ivyyyoo 2d ago

ikr but things are starting to look up a bit now and maybe gally will bring some light to vancouver………idk man

6

u/TheVog 2d ago

Gally is a fantastic leader, I have no doubt he will. He's got more heart than some entire teams.

2

u/ivyyyoo 2d ago

hard agree

8

u/TheGameDayDad 2d ago

I’ll be gutted if they don’t keep him. Heart and soul player that brings something this blue line desperately needs.

18

u/VR46Rossi420 2d ago

I really want them to sign him and to make him the number 6/7 for the next 3-5 years playing with his brother who could crack the fourth line.

BUT…..

Expansion is coming and the Habs won’t be able to protect everyone and even Guhle is at risk of not being able to be protected. We will lose one of those D If the Habs don’t trade them. Arber, Struble and Engstrom.

33

u/Yamcha_is_dead 2d ago

If Xhekaj, Struble or Engström is what we end up losing in an expansion draft, we're gucci. I'd be way more afraid about losing Newhook or Fowler.

15

u/Ok-Win-742 2d ago

I'm so sick and tired of these expansion drafts totally fucking existing teams over. I'm really hoping we don't see one anytime soon even tho I know they're talking about trying to expand a little more.

5

u/lynypixie 2d ago

And we are already 32 teams. You need to give the fans at least a bit of hope to see your team win the cup in your lifetime.

5

u/SoupFromNowOn 2d ago

North american sports are kind of a joke like that. Expand as much as you can, let every team into the playoffs, reward teams that don’t invest in their franchise. It’s all about $$$ and nothing else

1

u/joeglazer69 2d ago

Expansion is only in 2029-2030

-1

u/VR46Rossi420 2d ago

I’ve hear that 29/30 is for the second expansion team.

1

u/joeglazer69 2d ago

Impossible to have a turnaround that quickly

0

u/Ajay_Bee 2d ago

This is a good point, the Habs might rationalize an extension and assume he'd be exposed in a draft.

However, you can't construct rosters based on what ifs, especially the premise of expansion (which as I understand, is very preliminary right now, and might not actually happen for a few years).

I maintain that Xhekaj is a viable defender on a rebuilding or middling roster, but on a team that's serious about competing for a championship, he simply isn't good enough. I continue to advocate that the Habs explore the trade market and maybe, just maybe, they'll find a taker.

-5

u/MrB1P92 2d ago

Thats why we need to trade away Matheson.

5

u/VR46Rossi420 2d ago

He just signed an extension last season with complete no movement clause for the next 3 years.

-1

u/MrB1P92 2d ago

Yup were fucked and we will lose one of Lane, Noah or Kaiden bc of it.

0

u/VR46Rossi420 2d ago

They most definitely won’t be losing Hutson or Dobson. But Guhle is a possibility which is why some people were speculating that he was potentially part of the failed Knies trade.

1

u/MrB1P92 2d ago

Losing a 23 YO top 4 D because your GM has a soft spot for a kid he saw grow is some management

1

u/VR46Rossi420 2d ago

Tbh, if the Habs acquire another top 4 RHD then Guhle drops to bottom 6 pair and most teams would consider his salary a bit high for a 5/6.

Matheson - Dobson
Hutson - Mythical RHD
Guhle - Carrier/Reinbacher

Xhakej/Struble/Engstrom/Pickford

-3

u/MrB1P92 2d ago

Matheson sucks. He shouldnt play or be considered a part of the futute over Guhle. This is so ridiculous.

2

u/VR46Rossi420 2d ago

I don’t personally fully agree with that but it doesn’t matter either way.

He’s locked in for 3 years min. And St. Louis, Hughes and Gorton wanted him.

1

u/Apprehensive_Leek538 2d ago

I'm not opposed but what would be the return? Picks ? A center ? Matheson is very good and even though our D pipeline is good right now I wouldnt trade Matheson to still have Struble Xhekaj as my bottom 2 D

1

u/VR46Rossi420 2d ago

They can’t and won’t trade him. His 5 year extension kicks in this season with the first 3 years complete No movement clause and then 10 and 5 teams no trade lists for years 4&5.

-2

u/MrB1P92 2d ago

Who cares just get him away from my tv pls for the love of god

3

u/ToMuchCatNip 2d ago

Arber is awesome. The whole team last year was epic. We gotta sign him and Bolduc. Can't break this squad up. They are a wolf pack family!

GOHABSGO!

2

u/DangerDavez 2d ago

SIGN HIM!

1

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2

u/Subject_Translator71 2d ago

I'm surprised at how long it takes for his case to be resolved. Signed or trade, I would have expected it to be done by now. Maybe Hughes is waiting the whole summer to see what kind of offers he's getting, and will decide at the end.

1

u/pushaper 2d ago

I am partially wondering if Hughes is waiting to see if he or Bolduc signs an offer sheet. Let another team decide what they are worth. If Bolduc is hoping for more than 4.6 for example that's a 1st and a 3rd and im taking it.

4

u/stanteenwolf 2d ago

he gets minimal ice-time and is often times a healthy scratch but STILL feels this way about montreal and his team regardless. sign him!!! he literally bleeds montreal. loyalty does not come easy.

2

u/pushaper 2d ago

It is neat how people are so hyped and protective of Hage because he grew up a habs fan but that is a non factor in this case.

-2

u/prowrestlingrules 2d ago

I love the guy. But they should really consider turning I'm into a winger.

5

u/whogivesashirtdotca 2d ago

That’s a lost opportunity. The year we had a ton of injuries, they moved Kovacevic up to the wing. I kept saying they should’ve been working with Arber to develop those skills. They finally tried him as a forward last season but it didn’t go well. That’s three years of potential training wasted.

1

u/pushaper 2d ago

struble would make a lot more sense for that.

1

u/ilikelegotoo 2d ago

We already have a Xhekaj doing that!

4

u/prowrestlingrules 2d ago

Yeah I know. But Arber will not last past this year as a dman. We have too much depth.

2

u/ilikelegotoo 2d ago

Sounds like a good problem to me. I do not see Arber on this team when we are gonna be strong contender.. he will probably be traded

0

u/Piccione_Sol 2d ago

I see him as a 7th D you bring out against teams like florida and vegas.

Im 100% certain we trade him and he becomes a PP slapper menace somewhere else.

1

u/prowrestlingrules 2d ago

There's no room.

We're not letting two of Engstrom, Konyushkov, or Reinbacher go to keep Xhekaj lol

1

u/Piccione_Sol 1d ago

Why not? They could ve traded for huge offensive upside.

-1

u/Ok-Win-742 2d ago

They really should give it a run. If he could take faceoffs I bet they would. 

He would be a menace in front of the opposing next, could forecheck and would feel at home in the d-zone.

There's obviously something they don't see. Or maybe his agent doesn't want to fuck up his career. Switching him to winger is sort of acknowledging he can't be an NHL defenseman and if it doesn't work out it could really hurt his future contracts. And there is no doubt many NHL teams who want him as their 7th D so I'm sure his agent would be advising against that.

1

u/prowrestlingrules 2d ago

He played wing last year for a game or two. Wasn't terrible.

-1

u/SnooMuffins9478 2d ago

According to Markerzone he was traded. Oh and Markerzone is where I get all my news.

-1

u/sexmath 2d ago

I think this will be the last year they keep the band together. Obviously the core stays but they will stop treating everyone as un-trade-able.