Arber Xhekaj is not having a great season. Is it the second-year jinx? Most likely, yes.
Wednesday night, in his first game in Laval, he didn’t look like a guy who was happy with his lot. The shock of being sent to Laval must have been significant for someone coming back from injury.
But does that make him a bad player? No.
The Sheriff didn’t lose his hockey skills overnight. He may have lost his confidence or something, but not his strength or his ability to get the puck to the net.
But the player is the talk of the town.
The subject of his market value has been on everyone’s lips lately, and yesterday, on BPM Sports, Mathias Brunet went even further, claiming that he’s worth a first-round pick.
On Le Retour des sportifs, Mathias Brunet was clear about Arber Xhekaj’s value!https://t.co/DUqg80vV71 pic.twitter.com/OuIfeatyAn
– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) December 7, 2023
This sparked off a debate, as many people took it to mean that Kent Hughes had set his sights on trading his defender.
But this morning, again on BPM Sports, Renaud Lavoie repeatedly stated that even if Xhekaj is worth a first-round pick, that doesn’t mean Hughes will automatically go after him.
[Arber Xhekaj] is not for trade. – Renaud Lavoie
The NHL executives who told him WiFi was worth such a price have the mentality that there aren’t many guys like Xhekaj. A big guy like that who hits, fights and supports the attack, that’s something.
It’s true that he’s unique.
The fact that he suffered a setback this season doesn’t mean anything. Guys like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, for example, brought back at least a first-round pick to their former clubs. Why? Because the long term is important.
And the same goes for WiFi… but he shouldn’t, if nothing changes, be traded.
Breaking news
– A change of goaltender is expected in Laval for Wednesday’s game.
Early morning gym workout only for the Rocket this morning, except for Jakub Dobes who’s doing his starting routine. Looks like he’ll get the start against Hartford tonight pic.twitter.com/Ou2TRRpFk7
– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) December 8, 2023
– Blue Jays vs Dodgers? It’s possible, yes… and we could have an answer today.
And the Blue Jays are still in the running.https://t.co/FlCsmWtYH8
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) December 8, 2023
– Reminder: it’s not too late to participate in our pool. [SP]
– That’s something.
Drouin used to excess in Avalanche loss 
https://t.co/MT6wkVpOE3
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 8, 2023
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