Screen Shots: Xhekaj Calls Out Senators’ Tkachuk, NBA Penalty Box Idea, and the “Youngblood” Remake
In the aftermath of the 4-Nations Face-Off, emotions are already running high – particularly in Montreal, where Arber Xhekaj has reportedly thrown down the gauntlet for Senators captain Brady Tkachuk ahead of the Habs’ Saturday night showdown with the Sens.
“I’ll butt heads with him. I go right at him. I fire him up. I don’t care,” Xhekaj reportedly said, according to TVA Sports’ Nicolas Cloutier. “I’ll go hard every shift I have with him and try to make his life miserable… try to make him have a tough night. Just bring it to him harder than he brings it to me.”
Though Cloutier downplayed the report, there’s a history between the two, with Tkachuk tackling Xhekaj after he delivered a major hit to Senators star Tim Stutzle. While Xhekaj hasn’t put a “bounty” on Tkachuk, the interaction between these two players will certainly be watched closely.
While the intensity of this rivalry may not reach the levels of the 4-Nations Face-Off, the stakes are high for both the Senators and Canadiens as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. The physicality between the two teams is evident, and if these two players cross paths again, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety could become involved.
Unfortunately, this rivalry will have to wait for Tkachuk to recover from an injury and be ready for the Saturday game against the Habs. For now, we’ll have to wait and see whether this rivalry intensifies or fades.
On The Rich Eisen Show, co-host T.J. Jefferson raised an intriguing idea following the 4-Nations Face-Off: What if the NBA adopted the NHL’s penalty box system? Imagine if a player committed a foul and had to sit out for two minutes, creating a 5-on-4 or 4-on-3 situation for the opposing team.
While it might sound like a drastic change, especially with professional basketball’s interest in 3-on-3 formats, it could make for a more dynamic and exciting game. Having players sit out after committing fouls would give more space on the court and could introduce an entirely new level of strategy. Though we’re not holding our breath for the NBA to implement such a system anytime soon, the idea is certainly worth considering in the future, perhaps in developmental leagues or exhibition games.
Lastly, the cult-classic hockey film Youngblood is being remade, with filming currently underway in Ontario. While the original 1986 film starring Rob Lowe holds a nostalgic charm for many, it’s hard not to wonder whether the remake will truly capture the essence of the sport for a new generation.
Hockey fans have an undeniable love for films about their favorite sport, but we’re not entirely convinced that the Youngblood remake will live up to expectations. We’re open to being proven wrong, but for now, we’re keeping our excitement in check and approaching it with cautious optimism.