Arbers next contract

[Willie Dog]

Was going to set this up as a poll but too many variations

He's an RFA with no arbitration rights. I have heard that other teams have been sniffing around to see if he's available (Flames etc) so I think we should sign him to a reasonable length contract... I want him here a long time.

He said in the Elliot Friedman special that he wants to retire his parents so I originally thought offering him a max 8 year, 2 or 2.5M per year deal would do the trick and give him the guaranteed money he wants and have a team friendly contract. His agent will definitely not want this but at 2.5M, that gives him 20M USD... more than enough to retire his parents and live a comfortable life himself. The 8 year deal will end when he's 31 and he can sign another contract.

This also makes him part of the core with Suze and Cole and I'd do the same with Gulhe... give him an 8 year deal at a team friendly price (Suze and Cole will be team friendly deals this year imo).

Am I crazy to think this might work?

[seventeen]

I'd need to check the numbers for dmen who are 4-5 types (mostly 5?) and then add a percentage or longer term for the intangibles he brings (10-15% more?). Might be an exercise.

I do think we need to lock him and Guhle down long term, soon.

[Tankdriver]

He won't sign for $2.5. I could see 4 million per, for 8 years though. More likely result is 3 million per, 4 year deal.

[folatre]

For me Xhekaj was a late bloomer and is a unicorn in today's NHL; hence why so many teams have called Hughes about him.

I concur with those who see his potential as a #4-5 type guy who needs to be focus on anticipating plays and delivering the hits without taking himself out of position or putting himself in the box.

Because he is a unicorn who can take a regular shift and menace opponents with his physicality and fists, I would say a long-term deal would have to be above (in terms of AAV) what your typical third pair d-man would ideally be making. For me going short-term would signify a modest number that no one would look like twice about; in other words if it is 2-3 years then I think the number is in the $1.5-2 million range. However, my preference would be to get something longer-term done. And I think $3 million per could get it done for six years; whereas to buy three UFA years on an eight year contract would probably elevate the coinage into the $3.75-4 tier.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

May 27, 2024 20:05:37 GMT -5 folatre said:

For me Xhekaj was a late bloomer and is a unicorn in today's NHL; hence why so many teams have called Hughes about him.

I concur with those who see his potential as a #4-5 type guy who needs to be focus on anticipating plays and delivering the hits without taking himself out of position or putting himself in the box.

Because he is a unicorn who can take a regular shift and menace opponents with his physicality and fists, I would say a long-term deal would have to be above (in terms of AAV) what your typical third pair d-man would ideally be making. For me going short-term would signify a modest number that no one would look like twice about; in other words if it is 2-3 years then I think the number is in the $1.5-2 million range. However, my preference would be to get something longer-term done. And I think $3 million per could get it done for six years; whereas to buy three UFA years on an eight year contract would probably elevate the coinage into the $3.75-4 tier.

I agree that he is a unicorn with a very high ceiling. He is performing at a high level despite missing the developmental steps normally associated with a rookie. If he is this good without all that experience how high can he climb when he gets training and experience. He carries great attitude and intangibles.

[Willie Dog]

May 30, 2024 11:13:27 GMT -5 Habs_fan_in_LA said:

May 27, 2024 20:05:37 GMT -5 folatre said:

For me Xhekaj was a late bloomer and is a unicorn in today's NHL; hence why so many teams have called Hughes about him.

I concur with those who see his potential as a #4-5 type guy who needs to be focus on anticipating plays and delivering the hits without taking himself out of position or putting himself in the box.

Because he is a unicorn who can take a regular shift and menace opponents with his physicality and fists, I would say a long-term deal would have to be above (in terms of AAV) what your typical third pair d-man would ideally be making. For me going short-term would signify a modest number that no one would look like twice about; in other words if it is 2-3 years then I think the number is in the $1.5-2 million range. However, my preference would be to get something longer-term done. And I think $3 million per could get it done for six years; whereas to buy three UFA years on an eight year contract would probably elevate the coinage into the $3.75-4 tier.

I agree that he is a unicorn with a very high ceiling. He is performing at a high level despite missing the developmental steps normally associated with a rookie. If he is this good without all that experience how high can he climb when he gets training and experience. He carries great attitude and intangibles.

And this team requires a real defensive coach like Luke Richardson... not clown and clown (Burrows & Robidas)

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

May 30, 2024 11:17:38 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

May 30, 2024 11:13:27 GMT -5 Habs_fan_in_LA said:

I agree that he is a unicorn with a very high ceiling. He is performing at a high level despite missing the developmental steps normally associated with a rookie. If he is this good without all that experience how high can he climb when he gets training and experience. He carries great attitude and intangibles.

And this team requires a real defensive coach like Luke Richardson... not clown and clown (Burrows & Robidas)

These projections beat Costco’s salaries. Arber took his Laval assignment and worked hard. Skates well, good attitude, hard shot, good family, scandal free, coachable, character, lots to like.