Prospect Info: [2023 - 101st] Florian Xhekaj (OHL - Brantford Bulldogs)

[FrankMTL]

Very strong progression from Florian over the course of the year.

His last 7 weeks were his most productive as he managed to score 16 goals and 13 assists in only 18 games.

 

[skidcells]

If we get a Michael McCarron out of him (4th line physical C) drafted in the 4th round then I will be ecstatic. Anything else will be a bonus (and off course I accepted bonuses).

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Another thing to love about Xhekaj: He's 6'4" and 190 lbs (will easily be over 200 lbs by the time he turns pro).

As long as that extra poundage doesn’t adversely affect his mobility. Remember this is the NHL not the NFL.

 

[DAChampion]

Can he join the Rocket for a few games?

 

[_vivelequebec_]

Can he join the Rocket for a few games?

His team starts OHL playoffs soon...

 

[Skip Bayless]

His team starts OHL playoffs soon...

Test his leadership skills.

Have him leave his team for the most important time of the season, send him back down next year and see what ensues.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

He progressed all season, especially the second half, i think he's not finish progressing.

 

[Adam Michaels]

As long as that extra poundage doesn’t adversely affect his mobility. Remember this is the NHL not the NFL.

I haven't watched him game in and game out. But looking at the highlights, he doesn't seem slow out there. He'll be like his brother, who is 6'4" and 238 lbs and is mobile.

I don't expect Florian to be that heavy. But I think he'll be fine being over 200 lbs. I don't think it will affect his mobility that much. I think he'll just fill out into his man body.

Of course, having guys that size is a bonus because big boy hockey in the playoffs needs big boys.

I don't know why, but I picture Xhekaj at 6'4" and eventually over 200 lbs on a line with Luke Tuch, who is listed at 6'2" and 215 lbs. Just two big bodies on the bottom-6 causing headaches and havoc on the forecheck. And we'll see how they do as pros, but at their respective levels, they've shown some offense.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I haven't watched him game in and game out. But looking at the highlights, he doesn't seem slow out there. He'll be like his brother, who is 6'4" and 238 lbs and is mobile.

I don't expect Florian to be that heavy. But I think he'll be fine being over 200 lbs. I don't think it will affect his mobility that much. I think he'll just fill out into his man body.

Of course, having guys that size is a bonus because big boy hockey in the playoffs needs big boys.

I don't know why, but I picture Xhekaj at 6'4" and eventually over 200 lbs on a line with Luke Tuch, who is listed at 6'2" and 215 lbs. Just two big bodies on the bottom-6 causing headaches and havoc on the forecheck. And we'll see how they do as pros, but at their respective levels, they've shown some offense.

Tuch and FX will hopefully provide us with some options.

They can’t be worse than Pearson, White, etc.

 

[Licou]

Tuch and FX will hopefully provide us with some options.

They can’t be worse than Pearson, White, etc.

If these guys turn out to be NHL quality, we could end up having a fourth line that can contribute offensively once in a while and mostly cause havoc down low, especially in the playoffs...

This kind of contribution can really help tip the scales if we end up going for a non top heavy build for our team going forward, as we seem to never be able to grab any high tier super stars.

 

[Rapala]

That is a zone entry our team can't pull off.
I'd love to see a Suzuki Caufield give and go like that with Suzuki becoming the shooter.

 

[LaP]

He looks actually slightly better than MaCarron did ... but we drafted him in the 4th round instead of 1st round.

 

[Shutdown]

He looks actually slightly better than MaCarron did ... but we drafted him in the 4th round instead of 1st round.

Yeah, McCarron had an insane supporting cast.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Great pick in 4th round. He is going to be a bottom 6 player in NHL.

I think he have potential to be a more 4th liner, 3rd liner is a realistic projection to him. With physical ability like his brother.

I think both Xhekaj's have good offensive talent, so they will be better than expected with their work ethic, physical attribute.

 

[LaP]

Yeah, McCarron had an insane supporting cast.

I also feel like McCarron is one of the guy that our developement team did let down. He looks in Nashville like a guy who had the potential to be a good bottom 6 player with proper guidance.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Tuch and FX will hopefully provide us with some options.

They can’t be worse than Pearson, White, etc.

Hopefully Tuch won't take stupid penalties like he did in the HE final

 

[Tyson]

I also feel like McCarron is one of the guy that our developement team did let down. He looks in Nashville like a guy who had the potential to be a good bottom 6 player with proper guidance.

Big Mac had a terrific AHL rookie season that led to him being brought up too quickly and simultaneously being mishandled by Lefebvre and his loser assistants.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Big Mac had a terrific AHL rookie season that led to him being brought up too quickly and simultaneously being mishandled by Lefebvre and his loser assistants.

Didn’t he have 2 or 3 hat trick in that season? He was a ppg or thereabouts 20 games in. Then Sly says publicly for some stupid f***ing reason that he won’t be a top 6er then falls apart after that.

 

[Tyson]

Didn’t he have 2 or 3 hat trick in that season? He was a ppg or thereabouts 20 games in. Then Sly says publicly for some stupid f***ing reason that he won’t be a top 6er then falls apart after that.

That's what happens when you entrust idiots with the development of your top prospects.

Don't forget how they handled Leblanc.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

That's what happens when you entrust idiots with the development of your top prospects.

Don't forget how they handled Leblanc.

Yep. Same thing.

‘I’m gonna play Leblanc on the 3rd line in the AHL because he won’t be a top 6er in the NHL’.

Who says such moronic things let alone thinks them?

 

[Tyson]

Yep. Same thing.

‘I’m gonna play Leblanc on the 3rd line in the AHL because he won’t be a top 6er in the NHL’.

Who says such moronic things let alone thinks them?

He had a promising 42 game season in Montreal the previous season and it went downhill from there once Lefebvre f***ed with his head.

 

[Scintillating10]

Xhekaj/Tuch/Heineman potential 4th line in Montreal someday

 

[Runner77]

 

[Tyson]

Xhekaj/Tuch/Heineman potential 4th line in Montreal someday

Hard to argue with that

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

His mom called him that in a tweet.