I am hoping a forward takes cares of that, Anderson? Mikkola is a D...
- Symba007

wifi on the 4th line would fixed that

I get the idea, I even suggested in the blog playing Xhekaj against the Panthers made sense.

But truthfully, unless you wanna dress 7 defensemen with the idea of Xhekaj punching people and barely playing.... He's really a big step behind everyone else as far as actually playing hockey.
- Scabeh

I wouldn't say he's a huge step behind everyone all the time, but I think he's trying to do too much to have an impact on the game at times, which leads him to making mistakes...

anyway with how they played yesterday I doubt there's gonna be any changes to the lineup tomorrow.

wifi on the 4th line would fixed that
- fidopro

.
yeah but it's the NHL, defensemen don't magically become forwards lol

I am often able to move up with vouchers for upgrade but not with this airline, longest flight (Toronto-Warsaw) is 8h40min....overnight, yeah, sucks and I land and have a meeting a few hours later. I am allowed business class but we rarely ask for it unless we go to Asia. Only our CEO flies business class every where.
- Symba007

Can’t imagine.

Oh well, don’t forget your compression socks Cliffy!

.
yeah but it's the NHL, defensemen don't magically become forwards lol
- Pat1993

Mathew Dandeneault says hi.

Mark Streit checks in too ..

Mathew Dandeneault says hi.

Mark Streit checks in too ..
- pete26

yes, I'm sure Xhekaj has the same hockey IQ as a guy like Streit does... logic says hi.

yes, I'm sure Xhekaj has the same hockey IQ as a guy like Streit does... logic says hi.
- Pat1993

yes, I'm sure Xhekaj has the same hockey IQ as a guy like Streit does... logic says hi.
- Pat1993

A better example (and more recent)would be Kurtis MacDermid.

A better example (and more recent)would be Kurtis MacDermid.
- AdamFrench

when did he make the switch..? don't know a lot about him but it seems he was already an offensive-minded dman.

when did he make the switch..? don't know a lot about him but it seems he was already an offensive-minded dman.
- Pat1993

He's a fighter who used to play defense and 4th line forward depending on the situation. Pretty sure he moved exclusively to wing after he got to the Avs.

yes, I'm sure Xhekaj has the same hockey IQ as a guy like Streit does... logic says hi.
- Pat1993

I musta missed the hockey IQ part.

Hi logic..

He's a fighter who used to play defense and 4th line forward depending on the situation. Pretty sure he moved exclusively to wing after he got to the Avs.
- AdamFrench

Impossible..

He's a fighter who used to play defense and 4th line forward depending on the situation. Pretty sure he moved exclusively to wing after he got to the Avs.
- AdamFrench

ok so he already had experience as a forward, which I don't think is the case for Xhekaj...

Impossible..
- pete26

yeah, your sarcasm is really convincing Pete, you sure are making a great point.

yeah, your sarcasm is really convincing Pete, you sure are making a great point.
- Pat1993

welcome to hockeybuzz, friend. refreshments are in the kitchen.

welcome to hockeybuzz, friend. refreshments are in the kitchen.
- kicksave856

- Pat1993

ok so he already had experience as a forward, which I don't think is the case for Xhekaj...
- Pat1993

No. MacDermid was drafted as a defenseman and played as a defenseman in the NHL for the Kings, then got moved to wing and still plays wing for the Devils.

yeah, your sarcasm is really convincing Pete, you sure are making a great point.
- Pat1993

I wouldn't say he's a huge step behind everyone all the time, but I think he's trying to do too much to have an impact on the game at times, which leads him to making mistakes...

anyway with how they played yesterday I doubt there's gonna be any changes to the lineup tomorrow.
- Pat1993

His positioning, gap mangement and speed to catch up to his new man are all still problematic. Especially in the hybrid style of defense the Habs are playing that forces you to switch who youre covering depending if the puck is up or down the zone. Of course these don't happen every shift, but they happen too often to ignore. Out of all our defensemen, he's the one that's most prone to mistakes or, which we cannot afford right now.

Mind you, it can also be seen as a positive since Struble is playing well enough that we can keep sending him out there without a doubt.

No. MacDermid was drafted as a defenseman and played as a defenseman in the NHL for the Kings, then got moved to wing and still plays wing for the Devils.
- AdamFrench

interesting. I still don't see Xhekaj doing that or the habs even considering the idea, but if he does make the switch and it works out I'll gladly eat crow.

His positioning, gap mangement and speed to catch up to his new man are all still problematic. Especially in the hybrid style of defense the Habs are playing that forces you to switch who youre covering depending if the puck is up or down the zone. Of course these don't happen every shift, but they happen too often to ignore. Out of all our defensemen, he's the one that's most prone to mistakes or, which we cannot afford right now.

Mind you, it can also be seen as a positive since Struble is playing well enough that we can keep sending him out there without a doubt.
- Scabeh

yeah I agree with pretty much everything you're saying there, he does have a few things to sort out to become a regular. playing his role as a pugilist while taking care of his defensive responsibilities is probably tricky for a young player.

yeah I agree with pretty much everything you're saying there, he does have a few things to sort out to become a regular. playing his role as a pugilist while taking care of his defensive responsibilities is probably tricky for a young player.
- Pat1993

scabby's pretty smart.

scabby's pretty smart.
- kicksave856

yup, that would explain the quality of his blogs

yes, I'm sure Xhekaj has the same hockey IQ as a guy like Streit does... logic says hi.
- Pat1993

yeah its not the best but I would do it just for that game

For sure beats dressing up Pezzetta