Good article on Arber Xhekaj............
2022 Montreal Canadiens Top 25 Under 25: #21 Arber Xhekaj
The bashing blue-liner debuts in the Top 25 after an impressive final year in the OHL.
www.habseyesontheprize.com
Hamara*** - Schmidt
BRZ - Motew
Andonovski - J. LeBlanc
Harper - Hollet
Opening Night pairings predictions:
Hamara gets reassigned by Ottawa after camp and is sent to the OHL to adjust to the NA game. Paired with Schmidt, pretty straight forward.
USNDTP defenseman gets inserted into the top-4 to start the year, paired with veteran Motew. Not sure if I like the styles of both players beside eachother... I can see many odd man rushes coming our way, but a lot of offense equally produced from this pair.
Andonovski and LeBlanc both entering their sophmore seasons. Were both very solid down the stretch. Andonovski being a LHD (only 2 on the roster I believe) combined with rugged style may be better moving into the top-4 to compliment an offensive Dman. J. LeBlanc with added confidence and a year under his belt may force a tough decision with Motew.
Harper and Hollet, prime trade candidates given the talent, age, depth of defenseman already on the depth chart. With Longacre waiting for a contract, Terrance ('22 Draft DMan), and a potential 07 defenseman draft pick a year from now, Hollet's days are numbered as I don't see him as an OA in a year. Harper being an OA outside of the top-4 defenseman is not beneficial for development.
LW | C | RW | LD | RD | G |
Rehkopf (2005) | Pinelli (2003) | Mesar (2004) | Hamara (2004) | Schmidt (2003) | Parsons (2004) |
Martin (2004) | Serpa (2002)* | Valade (2002)* | Longacre (2006) | Brzustewicz (2004) | Vandenberg (2004) |
Sop (2003) | Fishman (2003) | Zidlicky (2005) | LeBlanc (2004) | Motew (2003) | |
Bottineau (2006) | LeBlanc (2004) | Pugliese (2004) | Andonovski (2005) | Harper (2002)* | |
Misaljevic (2004) | Mercer (2005) | Swick (2004) | Hollett (2003) |
Harper only cost us a 9th rounder last trade deadline. We’d be lucky to get that for him despite his strong play in the postseason last spring. As you said, the fact he’s an OA hurts his trade value and his spot on this team. However, I’m not against having him start the season here. Can he be this year’s version of Justin Nolet?Nice assessment.
Harper appears to be in a tough spot, and as an OA, that isn't helping his situation. In my mind, the question is whether or not there would be a willing trade partner to take him and provide anything in return.
Hollet has size going for him, and is an 03. So if the Rangers were to trade him, maybe there's a taker.
As a side note, Ottawa apparently has a surplus of D-men, so that's another team likely looking to move at least one.
that is a bit of good news!One down..more to come soon??..Ottawa Senators’ Hamara commits to Kitchener – Kitchener Rangers
kitchenerrangers.com
Hopefully. Three more to be exact. One more import and our top two picks please!!One down..more to come soon??..Ottawa Senators’ Hamara commits to Kitchener – Kitchener Rangers
kitchenerrangers.com