[Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced](https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/two-year-contract-for-arber-xhekaj) on Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.6 million contract (2024-25 to 2025-26) with defenseman Arber Xhekaj. The deal will pay him an average annual salary of $1.3 million.
Xhekaj played 44 games with Montreal last season, recording 10 points (3G, 7A) and ranking second on the team with a plus-6 differential. The 6-foot-4, 240 lb rearguard led the Canadiens with 81 penalty minutes and topped all team defensemen with 125 hits.
The 23-year-old blue-liner also skated in 17 games with the Laval Rocket in 2023-24, contributing three goals and eight assists.
Xhekaj originally joined the Canadiens organization when he signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Oct. 4, 2021.
jobaill
If I understand correctly, he’ll still be an RFA after this contract. Super happy he gets paid, wishing him an injury free 2 years!
t_l_quinner
This is a solid contract. That stint in the ahl really helped his game I look forward to seeing more progress
Longjumping-Coat1513
This is actually a little less than I thought he’d get. This is definitely his “prove it” deal.
ScotianCanadien43
🔥
FakeCrash
Great signing for both parties. Xhekaj is betting on himself. If he proves he’s essential to the team, he’s setting himself up for a nice long term contract after this.
Heywazza
YES! Let’s gooooo
PKP_en_Picoppe
A bridge deal was expected and at that AAV it’s an awesome contract.
Hope that means trade talks go away not that he’s untouchable business wise but I think there’s certain types of players you need to win he’s just gonna be one of those on a contender one day whether it’s from the 4th 5th or 6th d spot. Hell maybe even the wing.
Baronleduc
Hell Yeah!
The Sheriff is staying. Awesome news.
Lavs1985
Saddle up, the Sheriff is back!
IcyChard4
Nice. Its a bridge deal if you could say that. I’m happy he signed for 2 years/$2.6M.
I hope Guhle is next and I feel his contract’s gonna be big.
G_skins31
Way better then the contracts this sub was throwing around!
Independent-Head4951
This is great…now do Guhle
Le8ronJames
1.3 is amazing value
Sort_of_Frightening
WOOOOOOO!!!
2sexy4thish8
1.3 is way less than I expected. I wouldn’t have blinked if it was 2mill or anywhere under 2.5 really.
19 Comments
Official Release:
[Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced](https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/two-year-contract-for-arber-xhekaj) on Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.6 million contract (2024-25 to 2025-26) with defenseman Arber Xhekaj. The deal will pay him an average annual salary of $1.3 million.
Xhekaj played 44 games with Montreal last season, recording 10 points (3G, 7A) and ranking second on the team with a plus-6 differential. The 6-foot-4, 240 lb rearguard led the Canadiens with 81 penalty minutes and topped all team defensemen with 125 hits.
The 23-year-old blue-liner also skated in 17 games with the Laval Rocket in 2023-24, contributing three goals and eight assists.
Xhekaj originally joined the Canadiens organization when he signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Oct. 4, 2021.
If I understand correctly, he’ll still be an RFA after this contract. Super happy he gets paid, wishing him an injury free 2 years!
This is a solid contract. That stint in the ahl really helped his game I look forward to seeing more progress
This is actually a little less than I thought he’d get. This is definitely his “prove it” deal.
🔥
Great signing for both parties. Xhekaj is betting on himself. If he proves he’s essential to the team, he’s setting himself up for a nice long term contract after this.
YES! Let’s gooooo
A bridge deal was expected and at that AAV it’s an awesome contract.
Good contract for both
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGx6K90TmCI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGx6K90TmCI)
Hope that means trade talks go away not that he’s untouchable business wise but I think there’s certain types of players you need to win he’s just gonna be one of those on a contender one day whether it’s from the 4th 5th or 6th d spot. Hell maybe even the wing.
Hell Yeah!
The Sheriff is staying. Awesome news.
Saddle up, the Sheriff is back!
Nice. Its a bridge deal if you could say that. I’m happy he signed for 2 years/$2.6M.
I hope Guhle is next and I feel his contract’s gonna be big.
Way better then the contracts this sub was throwing around!
This is great…now do Guhle
1.3 is amazing value
WOOOOOOO!!!
1.3 is way less than I expected. I wouldn’t have blinked if it was 2mill or anywhere under 2.5 really.