one of the best podcasts I've seen . Arber Xhekaj is a beauty, what a good, down to earth guy with a great story. I wish him nothing but success in Montreal!!! LOTS OF BLACK EYES FROM XHEKAJ BABY!! Great job Knucks and Timster
This was the best interview with a hockey player ,I have ever listened to. You got the whole back story for the fans.I had a grin on face for 55 minutes, I loved it. What a find for the Habs, and to top it off Arber and his Dad being Canadien fans.
so good to have you Arber ! i will never forget the day Jarome Iginla pass in front of our habs bench and and told the guy ill take any one of you and none of our guy stood up !!
I’m 24 and i’m a big habs fan, and i actually love this core of young guys. Arber is a fucken nail gun and we have a sick D core to look forward too as well as the boys up front. Great pod !
Knuckles , Tim and Arber thank you so much for such a great conversation. Arber showing us all to set a goal and work at reaching it. Staying grounded using what you have and improve on what you need to make better. Great character and attitude. Great team guy and person off the ice. Habs made a great choice signing the sherrif. Been a long time since we habs fans have had a player on our team the demands the attention and respect from opposition as Arber is generating. Helps thd team feel better on the ice. They all can play more confident when 72 is in the lineup. Don't change a thing kid, keep smiling and working hard.! Ghg!!!
I'm pretty sure there's a long list of Habs fans hoping that Arber has a long productive career with the Habs. What a breath of fresh air. He could be the next John Ferguson for the elite young players on the team. He has to watch the John Ferguson tribute on UA-cam. We're rooting for ya young fella, All the best in your career and life.
WIFI was awesome in this video, but my favorite part was to watch Knuckles' face with WIFI was talking. Knucks smile said everything, he looked like a proud father out there
Love Xhekaj! Passion personality and play. (It used to be “Le Gallagher”) but this kid is so smart and mature for his age. Hope he is here to stay for a long time! Thanks knuckles, as always, a great interview! GHG!
They talk about living the dream but this young man believed in himself and worked his butt off to live his dream . You have got to respect someone who does that in this day and age ! Another awesome show guys keep it up !!!
This is soo great to watch! I love how proud Chris and Tim are of this young man! As for Arber, what a levelheaded, happy, polite human!!! Montreal needs to take care of Arber as he will take care of Montreal. I do not think the fame or popularity of the game will go to his head. Man, can’t say enough here, thank you soooooo much for this! Gonna watch it again….. Great job Knuckles and team!!
The absolute coolest dude. Saw him during warm up at a game this year, just hanging out near the boards tossing pucks up to fans. Nobody thought he belonged in the NHL but he don’t give a sh!t. Cus he’s here and making a difference and having fun. Get well soon Arby, can’t wait to have you back next year.
What a great kid! Honest. Intelligent. Determined. I love the line from Martin St.Louis. Some people play hockey. He's a HOCKEY player. Thanks Knucks !
He knows when to step up and when to chill. Has a great shot from the blue line and can mount a rush. Has good hockey sense. MSL is coaching him well. IMO he deserves more ice time. The fans love him. Keeping a level head will solidify his future with the Habs.
Incredibly modest, down to earth and hard-working. Very happy that Montreal saw a future with Arber, unlike the rest of the teams in the league. Him and Ghule will be a very strong foundation for Montreal's D-corps for years to come.
I’ve got a chance to meet Arber in Bouctouche NB this year for Kraft hockeyville and he’s just awesome everything about him took a picture and signed my jersey with a smile on his face love him he better stay in Montreal forever
Chris, you are a great peer for him am sure with people like you will help his development both on and off the ice! You alumni guys have no idea the impact you guys have on these young players.
Great show guys, love this kid. So glad Ramage and Richardson were around to notice and motivate him. Betcha Bergevin liked him too although his name seems to be mud in Montreal now. Blackeye Xhekaj is living the dream, repping the Hammer with style. Go Habs, go!
It's my first year as season ticket holder and win or loose, the Habs are offering a good show. Arber has brought new energy along with the other new players. It'll be fun to see the progression over the seasons to come. Thank you for the podcast!
I just love Arber. I’ve been following him since the Habs invited him to camp and signed him. I was hoping he could be our Lyle Odelein 2.0 and so far, he doesn’t disappoint; I’m thrilled at how fast he’s adjusted to the NHL game. I bought yet another Habs jersey this year (already had 3) and this new one’s rockin’ # 72 !
The minute I watched him play in Windsor against our Spitfires - I knew he was special. One of our Fans was chirping him the whole game and he made eye contact with them and chirped right back- I said Finally an OHL Guy with Character!!!- NHL all the way. CONGRATULATIONS!! Your story is so encouraging for other D Men that are overlooked - undrafted- definitely “ Where there is a Will, There is a Way!” Go HABS!
The thing I love most about Arber is that he keeps _improving._ All of these scouts passing on him has clearly put a Honda-sized chip on his shoulder, a desire to prove to them and the rest of the world that he should've been on those scouting lists, and that he should've been picked, not just with a 6th or 7th-rounder, but in the top 3 or 4 rounds (at least). We still don't know what his ceiling is because his performance has never plateaued...it keeps going up and up, and sure said improvement has been more gradual than with most other prospects, but where those others have stopped improving, he just keeps on going. And so I have to wonder...do the Habs have the next Dustin Byfuglien on their team? Because aside from Byfuglien's tendency to utilize his big bomb from the point (I actually find Arber's preference of a quick wrist shot to be marginally more effective, as it is more accurate, and is more capable of being _tipped_ by a teammate), the resemblance is uncanny. Arber is a great skater, who throws his body around in massive (but timely) hits, and who fights well (when necessary). He possesses an excellent first pass to start the rush, has sound offensive instincts (even quarterbacking the powerplay extremely well, considering it's not something he's done much of...yet), while playing an impressive positional game for his age while defending (i.e. with great gap control and an active stick to break up passes). And above all, he is supremely POISED (i.e. he makes FAST, SMART decisions under pressure). This kid is a star in the making, and he's OUR star. As for a nickname, how 'bout *X-Files.* Because the truth was always out there...and Arber is THE TRUTH. If you're reading this Arber...keep it up man! Never stop believing that you can be a better player, because as long as you keep that belief, as long as you keep nit-picking little details about your game upon which you know you can improve...you will have a place in this league, on this team, and in the heart of every Habs' fan. And that applies to life outside hockey as well. We are all capable of so much if we just decide not to settle for what we already are, what we already can do.
I would like to be a hockey player in the NHL, would Xhekaj recommend getting a job at Cosco ? joking... beautiful interview... love you all keep on the great work Merci
Heck, I’m not even an Habs fan but I love this kid. Humble and well raised but still tough like very few in the league. He also seems to have a good set of skills. Montréal now has DX Man to keep the morons from other teams honest on the ice. Great job from the Habs management and from Martin St-Louis. 👍🏻
Hey Chris I wanted you to know that I listened to your episode with Kent Hughes on November 18th on my way to Montreal by train, and on Saturday November 19th I was at the game and watched Arber(Habs legend in the making) fight Deslauriers and that epic last second Coalfield(another Habs legend in the making) tying goal. Well right after the game I ended up at a pub with my friend and Martin St-Louis, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton showed up and sat right next to us for an hour or so. Marty St-Louis was my favourite player while he was active so I was a little giddy and flying high, but right as we were leaving I went up to them and said hi. I actually shouted you out to Kent, telling him he was awesome on your show and to please do it again at a later time. So please invite Kent again some time! Would love to hear you two chat it up some more. You are actually a solid host and ask really good questions.
Really enjoyed this interview, got to see him in Edmonton got a picture. Enjoying watching him play and score that night, I was thinking too myself score a goal tonight and I didn't say it, just have a good game when he was walking away. I think a good nickname would be "Popeye" big hands like Popeye. Enjoying watching your shows.
Lovely interview!! Luck had it that I was at the game he scored his first NHL goal and everyone got real loud for him. Looking forward to what Arber and the rest of the young guns have in store for us!
Wow great interview, I love this guy, I wish sometimes that he could park himself in front of the net and score some goals on the rebounds since Monahan and Galy are out right now.
Arber is very mature . A team leader already in all areas . I have been a fan since he was with the Rangers ..He and another guy loved to fight one another , when they got to the panalty box they cheered each other , smiled and laughed --Awesome ....Arber got suspended for showboating after a fight ..Didn't stop him though as he went to the Hamilton Dogs and got them into the final game ...Arber played well but his forwards didn't produce ...So glad he picked the Habs !!!
i only wish i could sit down and have a chat with the legend himself knucks i watched him as a kid he is my all time favorite hockey player when he was traded the habs was never the same
one of the best podcasts I've seen .
Arber Xhekaj is a beauty, what a good, down to earth guy with a great story.
I wish him nothing but success in Montreal!!! LOTS OF BLACK EYES FROM XHEKAJ BABY!!
Great job Knucks and Timster
dont forget jonathan hondacivic too! :) haha love your channel too dude!
somehow I knew you would be in the comments on this video! big fan of the channel buddy and great interview knuckles and Tim
And btw.......see the fucking mits on that kid.....JEESUS
Your account deserves one of those verified yt celeb flags.
Holy sweet flying fuck look who show up!
This kid, no matter how many points he puts up, will be a CRUCIAL part of this team for years.
Yeah that is what I think as well.
You win playoff rounds with players like him. This is a definite keeper
He's going to put up points too
Until he gets traded
@@brianfarmer5580 maybe in 15 years
He’s such a pure kid. We need to keep him forever
Forever? Man crush. Nut hugging alert!!!
You can tell Knucks loves this guy. He's beaming in this video, smiling like a proud dad. I love him too and I'm smiling right along with him!
Every time Knucks talks about Xhekaj he is so pumped. I haven’t seen a player in my lifetime excite Knucks this much. He does act like a proud Uncle
I'm a Leafs fan and I can't help but like this kid too. Hockey tough guys are the nicest, most relatable pros there is.
This was honestly so much fun to watch. You can tell he's a very humble kid
I so agree. Have you seen when he scores a goal? He is so humble and professional when he does
Stars aligned. My Arber Xhekaj 72 sweater arrived today!! Love this kid!!
Hamiltoe represent!! Let’s goooo!
the bell centre needs to start playing "X gon give it to ya" by DMX every time this guy fights.
This was the best interview with a hockey player ,I have ever listened to. You got the whole back story for the fans.I had a grin on face for 55 minutes, I loved it. What a find for the Habs, and to top it off Arber and his Dad being Canadien fans.
Awesome, thanks so much for taking the time to share your comments!
Montreal needed this guy.
so good to have you Arber ! i will never forget the day Jarome Iginla pass in front of our habs bench and and told the guy ill take any one of you and none of our guy stood up !!
Outside the LaFleur tribute episode, this was the best.
I'm so glad this Kid is on my team.
He is the sheriff no doubts.
I’m a long-standing Rangers fan. This story is so good I bought a professional #72 XHEKAJ jersey… gotta love this kid.
5:57 hams for hands 👊🏻
I’m 24 and i’m a big habs fan, and i actually love this core of young guys. Arber is a fucken nail gun and we have a sick D core to look forward too as well as the boys up front. Great pod !
Knuckles , Tim and Arber thank you so much for such a great conversation. Arber showing us all to set a goal and work at reaching it. Staying grounded using what you have and improve on what you need to make better.
Great character and attitude. Great team guy and person off the ice. Habs made a great choice signing the sherrif.
Been a long time since we habs fans have had a player on our team the demands the attention and respect from opposition as Arber is generating. Helps thd team feel better on the ice. They all can play more confident when 72 is in the lineup.
Don't change a thing kid, keep smiling and working hard.!
Ghg!!!
I'm pretty sure there's a long list of Habs fans hoping that Arber has a long productive career with the Habs. What a breath of fresh air. He could be the next John Ferguson for the elite young players on the team.
He has to watch the John Ferguson tribute on UA-cam. We're rooting for ya young fella, All the best in your career and life.
I'm a Sens guy, I like Kasty....but after seeing this, I absolutely respect Jackeye. Dude is real.
WIFI was awesome in this video, but my favorite part was to watch Knuckles' face with WIFI was talking. Knucks smile said everything, he looked like a proud father out there
Love Xhekaj! Passion personality and play. (It used to be “Le Gallagher”) but this kid is so smart and mature for his age. Hope he is here to stay for a long time! Thanks knuckles, as always, a great interview! GHG!
This young man seems very humble, reminds me of Bob Probert in a lot of ways! God bless him 👍🇨🇦
I love this podcast and this episode was just the best, thanks guys. It is impossible not to like wifi!!! ❤ cheers from Chile 🇨🇱
Chris. Thank you for this interview. I loved you as a player and someone who always made an impact and now you are doing it as a broadcaster. Awesome!
Great interview Chris and Tim. No doubt about it that Arber is indeed a "Hockey Player".
He is the kind of player that you absolutely need on your team to win. - special in the Playoffs
They talk about living the dream but this young man believed in himself and worked his butt off to live his dream . You have got to respect someone who does that in this day and age ! Another awesome show guys keep it up !!!
Hey awesome show
Really love xhekaj
He s a big part of the team now and i wish for a long time
This is soo great to watch! I love how proud Chris and Tim are of this young man! As for Arber, what a levelheaded, happy, polite human!!! Montreal needs to take care of Arber as he will take care of Montreal. I do not think the fame or popularity of the game will go to his head. Man, can’t say enough here, thank you soooooo much for this! Gonna watch it again….. Great job Knuckles and team!!
Chris and Tim GREAT JOB !!! Arber so psyched for you. GHG
This kid Arber Xhekaj is a big part off the Canadian's future,, tuff as nails,, the Cosco kid,,
Arber is the best news for the Habs in years. Wish you the best!
Great interview. Arber is legit a solid character. Much respect and hope he has a long career.
What an absolute beauty, i love this kid. I hope he stays around for a while, because he is exactly what the NHL needs more of again.
The absolute coolest dude. Saw him during warm up at a game this year, just hanging out near the boards tossing pucks up to fans. Nobody thought he belonged in the NHL but he don’t give a sh!t. Cus he’s here and making a difference and having fun. Get well soon Arby, can’t wait to have you back next year.
This kid is really a good kid and easy to like and you want him to be on your team, I wish him a long and successful career.
What a great kid! Honest. Intelligent. Determined. I love the line from Martin St.Louis. Some people play hockey. He's a HOCKEY player. Thanks Knucks !
Third time I come back to watch this. Great interview guys.
Have had my Arber jersey over a year now
He knows when to step up and when to chill. Has a great shot from the blue line and can mount a rush. Has good hockey sense. MSL is coaching him well. IMO he deserves more ice time. The fans love him. Keeping a level head will solidify his future with the Habs.
u can totally tell the difference when is not on the team....
And we got is brother too :) perfect
8 years deal coming ❤️💪🏼😤
Incredibly modest, down to earth and hard-working. Very happy that Montreal saw a future with Arber, unlike the rest of the teams in the league. Him and Ghule will be a very strong foundation for Montreal's D-corps for years to come.
I’ve got a chance to meet Arber in Bouctouche NB this year for Kraft hockeyville and he’s just awesome everything about him took a picture and signed my jersey with a smile on his face love him he better stay in Montreal forever
Growing up in southern Ontario NHL hockey players were viewed as rock stars
Chris, you are a great peer for him am sure with people like you will help his development both on and off the ice! You alumni guys have no idea the impact you guys have on these young players.
Down to Earth what a great story
Great show guys, love this kid. So glad Ramage and Richardson were around to notice and motivate him. Betcha Bergevin liked him too although his name seems to be mud in Montreal now. Blackeye Xhekaj is living the dream, repping the Hammer with style. Go Habs, go!
It's my first year as season ticket holder and win or loose, the Habs are offering a good show. Arber has brought new energy along with the other new players. It'll be fun to see the progression over the seasons to come. Thank you for the podcast!
What a great interview Chris and Tim
Arber rocks
Hope Arber stays with MTL for years! Love the young core we got right now we can feel the team spirit!
Great interview Knucks ! Love this kid. What a background story to the NHL ..
I just love Arber. I’ve been following him since the Habs invited him to camp and signed him. I was hoping he could be our Lyle Odelein 2.0 and so far, he doesn’t disappoint; I’m thrilled at how fast he’s adjusted to the NHL game. I bought yet another Habs jersey this year (already had 3) and this new one’s rockin’ # 72 !
We love you Arber. You'll forever be a Hab in our hearts
WoW, great interview! Arber is the real deal!
J’adore ce gars. Il est un plus plus for the team spirit.
Priceless interview.
Playing Jr B at 16 and the NHL at 21, wow! He's a great story.
The minute I watched him play in Windsor against our Spitfires - I knew he was special. One of our Fans was chirping him the whole game and he made eye contact with them and chirped right back- I said Finally an OHL Guy with Character!!!- NHL all the way. CONGRATULATIONS!! Your story is so encouraging for other D Men that are overlooked - undrafted- definitely “ Where there is a Will, There is a Way!” Go HABS!
Great show! M. Nilan you are a great interviewer, keep on... this is great!
As for Arber they a found a true canadian...reminiscance of old time !
Thank you so much for the support and for taking the time to share your comments, means a lot!
So glad to have seen this. This kid is the real deal. And like you said Chris...he's a Hockey Player ! Hoping he's with us for a long time !
being a habs fan all of my life and Arber Xhekaj was the first jersey I ever wanted to own. I did just that this year. Wearing proudly during the game
Best podcast in all the land
Thank you so much!!
I knew he had BIG hands but...geeze!!!!!
I just found the podcast and knuckles MR NILAN won me over again . Insightful interviews , mad respect for the MAN .✊
Thank you Gord, much appreciated
The thing I love most about Arber is that he keeps _improving._ All of these scouts passing on him has clearly put a Honda-sized chip on his shoulder, a desire to prove to them and the rest of the world that he should've been on those scouting lists, and that he should've been picked, not just with a 6th or 7th-rounder, but in the top 3 or 4 rounds (at least). We still don't know what his ceiling is because his performance has never plateaued...it keeps going up and up, and sure said improvement has been more gradual than with most other prospects, but where those others have stopped improving, he just keeps on going. And so I have to wonder...do the Habs have the next Dustin Byfuglien on their team? Because aside from Byfuglien's tendency to utilize his big bomb from the point (I actually find Arber's preference of a quick wrist shot to be marginally more effective, as it is more accurate, and is more capable of being _tipped_ by a teammate), the resemblance is uncanny. Arber is a great skater, who throws his body around in massive (but timely) hits, and who fights well (when necessary). He possesses an excellent first pass to start the rush, has sound offensive instincts (even quarterbacking the powerplay extremely well, considering it's not something he's done much of...yet), while playing an impressive positional game for his age while defending (i.e. with great gap control and an active stick to break up passes). And above all, he is supremely POISED (i.e. he makes FAST, SMART decisions under pressure). This kid is a star in the making, and he's OUR star.
As for a nickname, how 'bout *X-Files.* Because the truth was always out there...and Arber is THE TRUTH. If you're reading this Arber...keep it up man! Never stop believing that you can be a better player, because as long as you keep that belief, as long as you keep nit-picking little details about your game upon which you know you can improve...you will have a place in this league, on this team, and in the heart of every Habs' fan. And that applies to life outside hockey as well. We are all capable of so much if we just decide not to settle for what we already are, what we already can do.
I would like to be a hockey player in the NHL, would Xhekaj recommend getting a job at Cosco ? joking... beautiful interview... love you all keep on the great work Merci
Knuckles is my idol , Arber is following his footsteps, so happy to have him in my team!
Thanks much appreciated
We have got gold with this kid. We will all be talking tales about this guy in 25 years! A legend in the making 100%
Knucks keep up the great job love the podcast, and you and Tony last night were awesome!!
Thank you Steve, appreciate it!
A fantastic young man! Great hockey player! Cheers!
What a great interview! What a great kid! Thanks Knuckles and Tim for getting him as a guest. I’ve seen every podcast and you guys keep killing it.
Heck, I’m not even an Habs fan but I love this kid. Humble and well raised but still tough like very few in the league. He also seems to have a good set of skills. Montréal now has DX Man to keep the morons from other teams honest on the ice. Great job from the Habs management and from Martin St-Louis. 👍🏻
crazy good podcast Knuckles
Hockey guys are down to earth the world over.
Dude’s got a great story. I’m sure he is but he should be proud of himself. Quickly becoming my favorite player on the Habs.
Hey Chris I wanted you to know that I listened to your episode with Kent Hughes on November 18th on my way to Montreal by train, and on Saturday November 19th I was at the game and watched Arber(Habs legend in the making) fight Deslauriers and that epic last second Coalfield(another Habs legend in the making) tying goal. Well right after the game I ended up at a pub with my friend and Martin St-Louis, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton showed up and sat right next to us for an hour or so. Marty St-Louis was my favourite player while he was active so I was a little giddy and flying high, but right as we were leaving I went up to them and said hi.
I actually shouted you out to Kent, telling him he was awesome on your show and to please do it again at a later time. So please invite Kent again some time! Would love to hear you two chat it up some more. You are actually a solid host and ask really good questions.
Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to send your comments. Means a lot.
Great show guys Everyone had a smile on their face. Keep them coming.
Really enjoyed this interview, got to see him in Edmonton got a picture. Enjoying watching him play and score that night, I was thinking too myself score a goal tonight and I didn't say it, just have a good game when he was walking away. I think a good nickname would be "Popeye" big hands like Popeye. Enjoying watching your shows.
Awesome interview love watching Xhekaj play
Arber the man
Dman that score, play d well and smash peoples who deserve it . Pretty lucky to have him
Lovely interview!! Luck had it that I was at the game he scored his first NHL goal and everyone got real loud for him.
Looking forward to what Arber and the rest of the young guns have in store for us!
Wow Knuckles what a great show. I love it, your so good for the kids, You do have the CH tattooed on your heart man
Happy to see Chris, really looking great 👍🏼👑👑
That was cool. Xhekaj is impressive. The interview was well done, too. Now, I am interested to see what happens with his brother's hockey career.
What a great kid. hope he keeps up is great play An other great podcast Chris
He's become a fan favorite!! Love this kid
Now your talking.... excellent
😮 one of the best shows out there, keep up the good work, Knuckles
Awesome awesome awesome! Tim, love your laundry room brother, crown moldings very impressive! Was a fun podcast.
What an excellent interview. Cheers! GHG
That was a great interview guys thanks for doing this most appreciated
Chris Nilan, one of my favorite Habs all time.
Thank you Sami, I appreciate it!
Great work getting him on the podcast
Such a great interview. Takes one to know one!
Wow great interview, I love this guy, I wish sometimes that he could park himself in front of the net and score some goals on the rebounds since Monahan and Galy are out right now.
This was a great interview! Go Arber Go!
Arber is very mature . A team leader already in all areas . I have been a fan since he was with the Rangers ..He and another guy loved to fight one another , when they got to the panalty box they cheered each other , smiled and laughed --Awesome ....Arber got suspended for showboating after a fight ..Didn't stop him though as he went to the Hamilton Dogs and got them into the final game ...Arber played well but his forwards didn't produce ...So glad he picked the Habs !!!
i only wish i could sit down and have a chat with the legend himself knucks i watched him as a kid he is my all time favorite hockey player when he was traded the habs was never the same
Thank you !!