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Florian Xhekaj really enjoyed a fine 23-24 season in the OHL.
The Habs drafted him in the fourth round (2023) because he can do it all on the ice, but Arber’s little brother exceeded expectations offensively last season.
After all, I find it hard to believe that many people had a 34-goal, 65-point season on their Florian bingo card.
The forward is taking part in the Canadiens’ development camp in Brossard this week, and spoke to reporters today after the various practices.
Above all, he said he feels ready to move on to the next level… And that he’s (really) not interested in going back to junior:
I don’t want to go back to Brantford. I see myself in Montreal or Laval.
But I have the confidence to play with the Canadiens next season. – Florian Xhekaj
Confident, the kid…
Director of player development Rob Ramage and the hopefuls address the media live from the development camp.
Director of player development Rob Ramage and prospects address the media live from development camp#GoHabsGo https://t.co/NFVbXSqv1C
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) July 4, 2024
Florian Xhekaj signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens in early April.
He finished last season in Laval and played three games for the Rocket.
What I’m saying here is that he already has a little (just a little) experience at the professional level.
But taking a step back, it’s logical to believe that Xhekaj could make the jump to the pros as early as next season.
After all, he’ll never become an impact player offensively in the National League… And it might be better for him to play against men next year because of his style of play.
He proved himself in junior and he won’t learn to be more physical in the OHL.
And he needs to acclimatize to the toughness of the professional level, because that’s going to be his role over the next few years in Montreal if he’s able to carve out a position with the Habs.
Overtime
– It’s a golf movie.
DEBATE: Is Happy Gilmore a hockey movie or a golf movie
? @ministickspod pic.twitter.com/9HUuSW359J
– HFTV (@HFTVSports) July 4, 2024
– It’s impressive… But just as disgusting.
Chestnut engulfs 57 hot dogs… in 5 minutes!
https://t.co/M65fvnNQOG
– RDS (@RDSca) July 4, 2024
– Wow!
It doesn’t get more wholesome than this. pic.twitter.com/K8dQRzuovt
– BarDown (@BarDown) July 4, 2024
– Backup in Detroit.
UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed defenseman Tory Dello to a one-year, two way contract. pic.twitter.com/kyogs3rMDE
– Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 4, 2024
– Fair enough.
A frustrating move for Fernandezhttps://t.co/vPcUEtzD9z
– RDS (@RDSca) July 4, 2024
More must-reads:
- Mike Grier’s drafting propelling Sharks to certain future
- Giants' Jaxson Dart discusses how he has already improved during training camp
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Montreal Canadiens Finally Extend Defenseman on Unique Contract
The Montreal Canadiens have extended defenseman Jayden Struble on a two-year deal. The AAV is rather unique, exemplifying GM Kent Hughes' priorities. Struble, 23, has appeared in 112 NHL games for the Canadiens, and is now set to appear in many more, signing a two-year extension at an annual average value of $1.4125 million. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes Gets Every Last Penny Out of Jayden Struble Hughes, a former agent, is known for getting the most out of his contracts, and this complicated number certainly fits in that mould. The Canadiens organization released this statement following the signing: BROSSARD - Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced on Monday that the team has agreed to terms on a two-year, one-way contract (2025-26 to 2026-27) with defenseman Jayden Struble. The deal will pay him an average annual salary of $1.4125 million. Struble appeared in 56 games with the Canadiens in 2024-25, recording two goals and 11 assists. The Cumberland, RI native also registered a plus-2 differential, 52 penalty minutes and 124 hits, ranking fifth on the team for the latter (tied with Jake Evans). The 23-year-old rearguard also played two playoff contests against the Washington Capitals. Since making his NHL debut in 2023-24, Struble has suited up for 112 games with Montreal and has tallied 23 points (5G, 18A), in addition to serving 109 penalty minutes. Struble was selected by the Canadiens in the second round (46th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The Canadiens briefly struck gold last season when they played Calder trophy winner Lane Hutson next to Struble. The duo put up elite analytical performances, and coaching staff may revisit it next season. With Struble signed, and their projected top pairing of Noah Dobson and Kaiden Guhle locked up for the better part of a decade, all that remains for the Canadiens is to sign Lane Hutson.
Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following the troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Former NBA MVP could be nearing the end of his career
For the past two seasons, Joel Embiid has been dealing with a knee issue. The former MVP underwent surgery in April to try to repair his meniscus, the second time he's received such surgery in the past 12 months. Embiid recently sat down for a tell-all interview with ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, where he detailed the struggles his body is currently going through. "We're not going to push anything," Embiid said. "For my whole career, I felt like we never took that approach ... We don't have a timeline. Hopefully, sooner rather than later ... It's all about the results ... If I come back early enough and I'm still not myself, guess what? You're not winning any games." Embiid's struggles have left the Sixers in a precarious situation. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey has built the entire roster around the star center's unique skill set. Philadelphia has constructed a team to go as far as Embiid can take it. It makes sense, then, that Embiid is just as frustrated with his injury-induced absences as the rest of the Sixers fanbase. In a July 27 appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer shared a unique take on the big man's recent interview and the messaging he's been putting out recently. "I think Joel may know that the end is near, and this is just me saying, and it's kind of like explaining to people what he's been going through," Pompey said. "Because rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain (they're in) and how much they're going through. The thing I took from it was no matter who is there, the culture is the same. And I feel like Joel Embiid knows that it may not be this season, but the end is near. Maybe he feels as though he can't play to the level he used to. I could be wrong. He could come out and have another MVP season. But that was my takeaway." Embiid is probably one more lost season away from making such a difficult decision. He's only suited up for 58 games over the past two seasons, 39 in 2023-24 and 19 in 2024-25. Embiid doesn't project as the sort of player who would accept a decline while still cashing enormous checks that limit his team's ability to compete. The problem for Embiid is that injuries are only half the battle. Even when healthy, conditioning has been his Achilles heel. So, not only would he need to stay injury-free, both with his knee and his back, but he would also need to get into the best shape of his life. Anything less, and the Sixers could be doomed to repeat their failures of the past. Embiid is still working his way through a long road of recovery. However, he may also be coming to terms that the NBA chapter of his life is on the final few pages, and that must be a daunting reality to face.
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