Xhekaj is a decent player.

However, he is their present day version of Dan Girardi. He is a tough, no-nonsense player that went undrafted and clawed his way into the NHL.

If a team came to the Rangers and made a standard offer of a mid level pick for a young Dan Girardi when he was in his early 20s and on a cheap contract ---- would the Rangers accept? Heck no! It would have to be an overpay in a trade, because of what Girardi meant to the Rangers.

Xhekaj means more to Montreal than he would most teams, so I don't think he would be a cheap acquisition in a trade. He is currently in the minors anyway, rehabbing an injury...
- TommyGTrain

Thats not exactly the case.

From the Montreal Gazette: https://www.msn.com/en-ca...heriffs-badge/ar-AA1layMf

"But he’s apparently run afoul of Habs management and is clearly not a favourite with coach Martin St. Louis.

Xhekaj appeared to suffer a shoulder injury after receiving a hard hit from Ivan Barbashev in the Canadiens’ game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Bell Centre Nov. 16.

Defenders of the Habs’ decision say Xhekaj needs to work on his defensive game and that the team simply has too many good young defencemen. It’s true the team has young D-men coming out of their ears, but Xhekaj brings something to the ice that no other Hab does."

Thats not exactly the case.

From the Montreal Gazette: https://www.msn.com/en-ca...heriffs-badge/ar-AA1layMf

"But he’s apparently run afoul of Habs management and is clearly not a favourite with coach Martin St. Louis.

Xhekaj appeared to suffer a shoulder injury after receiving a hard hit from Ivan Barbashev in the Canadiens’ game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Bell Centre Nov. 16.

Defenders of the Habs’ decision say Xhekaj needs to work on his defensive game and that the team simply has too many good young defencemen. It’s true the team has young D-men coming out of their ears, but Xhekaj brings something to the ice that no other Hab does."
- aecliptic

The last twelve words of your own quote is EXACTLY my point, thanks!

This is a really cool interview with Vinny Troch if you haven’t read it yet

https://nypost.com/2023/1...that-can-win-stanley-cup/

The last twelve words of your own quote is EXACTLY my point, thanks!
- TommyGTrain

I intentionally didnt leave it out to conveniently quote something out of the entire scope of context. However, the first line of the quote about MSL and the supporters of the demotion is pretty interesting.

Stupid bet of the week alert:

Laf and bread anytime scorers
Ovi 5+ shots
No overtime
Over 5.5 goals

I'm talking about Lindgren inevitably getting banged up and Gustafsson playing that much

I'm just expressing my main concern

you guys go on and on every day about RW, just throwin this concern out there
- jimbro83

hi Karen!

We’ve kinda been on a center now. The biggest need right now on the rangers in the 3C. Period stop. It isn’t RW or LHD. If Chytil doesn’t come back that’s what they need. We don’t have reinforcements in Hartford for center unless you count Jake Lyscheynyynynny Bonino is serviceable for now, but not the rest of the season and he is liable to get hurt blocking all those shots

Get Monahan. He’s cheap, if he Chytil comes back he’s a RW, if he doesn’t Monahan is a center. Easy peasy

Stupid bet of the week alert:

Laf and bread anytime scorers
Ovi 5+ shots
No overtime
Over 5.5 goals
- picklerick

Just give me the odds that Lindgren blasts Oshie into Wednesday on a clean hit....

Stupid bet of the week alert:

Laf and bread anytime scorers
Ovi 5+ shots
No overtime
Over 5.5 goals
- picklerick

Ovie is having a rough season. I think he’s at 1 ES goal all year

I intentionally didnt leave it out to conveniently quote something out of the entire scope of context. However, the first line of the quote about MSL and the supporters of the demotion is pretty interesting.
- aecliptic

I get it.
He is 22 years old and still developing his game. I would be SHOCKED if they traded him. He is in no ways a superstar in the making, but he is one of those glue guys that EVERY team needs...

Ovie is having a rough season. I think he’s at 1 ES goal all year
- Slimtj100

Yea well we take a ton of penalties

I get it.
He is 22 years old and still developing his game. I would be SHOCKED if they traded him. He is in no ways a superstar in the making, but he is one of those glue guys that EVERY team needs...
- TommyGTrain

Id say Romanov is of the same ilk as Xhekaj and that didnt stop them from trading him in what many thought was a very surprising move.

Id say Romanov is of the same ilk as Xhekaj and that didnt stop them from trading him in what many thought was a very surprising move.
- aecliptic

The thing with dmen is you can find and get one fairly easliy for little to nothing in assets. Isles just got two of them for peanuts. Jimmy is out to lunch on this

Rick Nash came out of retirement and is centering the 4th line tonight

Id say Romanov is of the same ilk as Xhekaj and that didnt stop them from trading him in what many thought was a very surprising move.
- aecliptic

It was surprising, but that trade landed them Dach ( for better or worse ). Can't look at deals in a vacuum. Montreal believed they could get a young, top line center for their rebuild and they went for it.

It was surprising, but that trade landed them Dach ( for better or worse ). Can't look at deals in a vacuum. Montreal believed they could get a young, top line center for their rebuild and they went for it.
- TommyGTrain

Xhekaj for Kakko?

Xhekaj for Kakko?
- aecliptic

And then gus sits and somehow we’re better? What’re we talking about here gentlemen?

And then gus sits and somehow we’re better? What’re we talking about here gentlemen?
- picklerick

Well, hes currently in the AHL. Maybe split time between the 2 of them based on matchups? Because if Lindgren missing time is inevitable, he will eventually get to play on a regular basis. Matter of fact, having Xhekaj essentially allows the team to give any of the LD a game or 2 off to rest.

Well, hes currently in the AHL. Maybe split time between the 2 of them based on matchups? Because if Lindgren missing time is inevitable, he will eventually get to play on a regular basis. Matter of fact, having Xhekaj essentially allows the team to give any of the LD a game or 2 off to rest.
- aecliptic

We have 7 defensemen already. 2 centers. Imagine if one of the other centers goes down…season over

We have 7 defensemen already. 2 centers. Imagine if one of the other centers goes down…season over
- Slimtj100

I feel insane

https://x.com/jlazzy23/st...&t=uyemCTfXPLjxebCnYBfx6Q

https://x.com/adamzherman...&t=uyemCTfXPLjxebCnYBfx6Q



Kids a star

I feel insane
- picklerick

Monahan is the easiest guy to get imo. Lindholm is my top choice but that’s a bigger deal. Mtl is rebuilding so they’re selling and he’s a rental. And he’ll cost a second at the most probably. I think he’s under 2 million too

Monahan is the easiest guy to get imo. Lindholm is my top choice but that’s a bigger deal. Mtl is rebuilding so they’re selling and he’s a rental. And he’ll cost a second at the most probably. I think he’s under 2 million too
- Slimtj100

At 50% he’s under $1m and that’s the only way it will likely work

Monahan is the easiest guy to get imo. Lindholm is my top choice but that’s a bigger deal. Mtl is rebuilding so they’re selling and he’s a rental. And he’ll cost a second at the most probably. I think he’s under 2 million too
- Slimtj100

These are my top 2 targets as well. Lindholm ideal, but as you say it's hard to see it happening. Monahan, plus a depth d and maybe a middle six rw is what I'd like to see. All depends on our spot in the standings come late January and the injuries though

At 50% he’s under $1m and that’s the only way it will likely work
- picklerick

Depends what happens with chytil and kakko I guess

Depends what happens with chytil and kakko I guess
- t-dawg

If they could (frank) off until the playoffs that would be superb