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2024-2025 Laval Rocket discussion thread


alfredoh2009

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3 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:


It’s very early in his career but I’m starting to wonder if Xhekaj is a round 4 drafted gem. 
 

 

He has certainly shown progression which is positive. I guess the question is, how much more progression is there to come?  

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On Reinbacher, why i object to saying false things like that is a Laine-like shot is that if we keep saying hes got a Laine like shot instead of what his true skills are.... a super smart, two way defender, who has some offensive potential, but if he develops to his ceiling its like a 30 point guy with shutdown defence playing 25 minutes a night against top lines.  Its not a Laine like shot scoring on the PP.

 

With Laine-like shot we put unrealistic expectations on him that he will never live up to. And that just leads to running talented youngsters out of town when the offence never develops on the PP.

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6 minutes ago, Commandant said:

 

If he can continue shooting close to 25% then yeah thats possible.

 


Yeah that’s not sustainable and it takes some shine off of his stats but all things considered Xhekaj is playing above expectations. 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

He has certainly shown progression which is positive. I guess the question is, how much more progression is there to come?  


This is the question over the coming seasons to see where he goes but you can see something there to be excited about. 

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3 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:


It’s very early in his career but I’m starting to wonder if Xhekaj is a round 4 drafted gem. 
 

He is noted as doing very well on the PK and chipping in on offensive end also very encouraging.

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Right now I have F Xhekaj penciled in on 4th line in 2027-28 

 

Things can change, but I suspect we will need a cheap, checking player with size there…. an Anderson type, hopefully meaner…. likely slower… in my head I liked that Tuch, Thorpe, Xhekaj line… but so much can happen before then. Tuch will maybe be lost through trade by end of next year. Thorpe I have penciled in on 4th line 2028-29. Again many bodies will be drafted/traded/released between now and then so making predictions is virtually impossible (and useless)(but fun).

 

For cap growth, I’m thinking after the $113.5M cap in 2027-28, I will just do 5.5% growth for future years until we get better projections. 2028-29 is therefore $119.7M

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45 minutes ago, Commandant said:

If he can continue shooting close to 25% then yeah thats possible.

 

He did this last year too in junior.  Maybe he's going to be one of those guys who doesn't shoot a whole lot but has an above-average success rate when he does.  Still too early to tell but he's definitely doing well.

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Seems like if Xhekaj can skate quick enough to forecheck in NHL, he might be an upgrade on Pezzetta at least.

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54 minutes ago, DON said:

He is noted as doing very well on the PK and chipping in on offensive end also very encouraging.

 

And I think that's the key for for him. If he can play well defensively, kill penalties, play physical and SMART, and chip in offensively then he could have a role on the Habs in a couple years. He can definitely be an upgrade on Pezzetta and that's why I capitalized smart, Pezzetta takes some stupid penalties, Florian needs to play physical without taking unnecessary penalties. 

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2 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

It’s very early in his career but I’m starting to wonder if Xhekaj is a round 4 drafted gem. 

Don't know about "gem", but I can see him potentially becoming a solid NHL 4-liner.

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4 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:


It’s very early in his career but I’m starting to wonder if Xhekaj is a round 4 drafted gem. 
 

if he continues to develop he may become a very good 4th line center in the NHL. But he'll need to continue improving.

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5 hours ago, dlbalr said:

 

He did this last year too in junior.  Maybe he's going to be one of those guys who doesn't shoot a whole lot but has an above-average success rate when he does.  Still too early to tell but he's definitely doing well.

 

The goalies at the next level will be better.  Hes going to have to generate more shots to continue scoring 

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William Dineen didn't look out of place on the 4th line. 

https://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/article829255.html

 

Nice to have Lindstrom back on the lineup. Fun game!

David Reinbacher will not play this afternoon for the Laval Rocket. They’ve obviously decided to be cautious with him on back to back games given his injury this year.

[image or embed]

— /r/Habs (@habsonreddit.bsky.social) March 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM

 

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:D happy to read this :D

 

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https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/laval-rocket-cleveland-monsters-2025-03-22-ahl-recap-score-highlights-a-statement-win-from-the-young-guns-in-laval-jared-davidson-florian-xhekaj-adam-engstrom/

 

Quote

"Despite the Rocket’s willingness to let the game end without incident, Cleveland decided they had to air out some grievances. Bowey and Cole Clayton decided to antagonize Arseneau after avoiding him for the previous 59 minutes, earning everyone involved an early shower, and for Arseneau a small victory lap."

 

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1 hour ago, DON said:

– Florian Xhekaj is now tied for eighth in rookie goals with 18 on the season.  He’s also the league leader in penalty minutes, not just among rookies but everyone.

 

Awesome!!  A chip off the old block. Arber must be proud! LOL Seriously he seems to be developing really well and potentially a very good 4th liner in the NHL. 

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8 hours ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

Awesome!!  A chip off the old block. Arber must be proud! LOL Seriously he seems to be developing really well and potentially a very good 4th liner in the NHL. 

Seems most think similar.

Hope he and the fellas have a great AHL playoff run.

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some depth for the Rocket, another PTO

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/201764/mark-estapa

 

Estapa (23) is a 6'2" 205 lbs forward who had 2 goals, 10 assists, 12 points in 35 games this season in Michigan. #GoHabsGo #Habs #GoRocket

[image or embed]

— JD Lagrange (@jdlagrange.bsky.social) March 27, 2025 at 9:37 AM

 

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