[Montreal Canadiens] Les Canadiens se sont entendus sur les modalités d’un contrat de deux ans (2024-25 à 2025-26) avec le défenseur Arber Xhekaj.
—
Tripacka
@Canadiens de Montréal
[Montreal Canadiens] Les Canadiens se sont entendus sur les modalités d’un contrat de deux ans (2024-25 à 2025-26) avec le défenseur Arber Xhekaj.
—
Tripacka
22 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.
If he becomes a 20-30 points violent Dman he’s gonna be really valuable.
Hopefully he can establish himself with a permanent spot on the team.
Matheson/Ghule
Hutton/Reinbacher
Mailloux/Xhejak
I think this will be our defense after the trade deadline.
I like this deal. Still RFA at the end, Arber is paid fair value and will be in a great environment to continue to grow his game. Hope he’s around for a long time!