Montreal Canadiens lockdown The Sheriff Arber Xhekaj ton multi-year deal

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Josh Tupper
July 30, 2024 (9:38)

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Montreal Canadiens Lock Up Defenseman Arber Xhekaj with Two-Year Deal

Montreal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes has secured a key piece of the team's defensive corps by signing restricted free agent Arber Xhekaj to a two-year contract. The deal, worth $2.6 million with an average annual value of $1.3 million, was announced on the Canadiens' official social media account on Tuesday morning.

"Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced 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." The team said in a statement.

Xhekaj, 23, faced a challenging 2023-24 season, including a stint with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League and a shoulder injury that required surgery in early April. Despite these setbacks, the Hamilton, Ontario native is expected to be fully recovered and ready for training camp in September.

In his 44 games with the Canadiens last season, Xhekaj recorded ten points (three goals, seven assists), accumulated 81 penalty minutes, and maintained a plus-six rating. Additionally, he contributed 11 points in 17 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket.

With Xhekaj's contract secured, the Canadiens now have just one remaining free agent to re-sign: Justin Barron, who became a restricted free agent on July 1st.

Source: Blade of Steel
Canadiens announce they've re-signed RFA defenceman Arber Xhekaj