Canadiens And Arber Xhekaj Reportedly Close On Contract

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Canadiens And Arber Xhekaj Reportedly Close On Contract

Originally posted on The Sick Podcast | By James Murphy | Last updated Sep 14, 2026 12:28 PM ET

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj arrived at the team’s annual golf tournament still not signed to a new contract. However, there was optimism and a report that the restricted free agent and the team were closing in on a new contract and that Xhekaj will be signed when Canadiens training camp kicks off on Wednesday in Brossard.

Just after 8 am ET and as the Canadiens management and coaching staff, as well as the players were showing up at Club de Golf Laval-sur-le-Lac for the golf tournament, TSN and Athletic NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun tweeted that the two sides were closing in on a new contract for the rugged, 6-foot-4, 240-pound, 25 year-old rearguard.

“Talks are progressing and things are getting closer on a new deal between the Montreal Canadiens and RFA D Arber Xhekaj. Not done yet, but the expectation is that he’ll be at camp and signed,” LeBrun reported.

Talks are progressing and things are getting closer on a new deal between the Canadiens and RFA D Arber Xhekaj. Not done yet, but the expectation is that he'll be at camp and signed.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 14, 2026

Under an hour later, Montreal Canadiens President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton seemed optimistic about a Arber Xhekaj being signed by Wednesday as well.

“It’s a negotiation so I don’t want to talk too much but we have a few days before we get on the ice and I’m confident Arber will be there and be part of our group, we’re looking forward to that,” Gorton told the assembled media.

Arber Xhekaj is coming out of a two-year, $2.6 million ($1.3M AAV) contract. The fan-favorite had a goal and three assists in 65 games and finished with 116 penalty minutes in the 2025-26 regular season. Xhekaj also had a goal and an assist in 13 games during the Canadiens’ run to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. That followed a 2024-25 season that saw Xhekaj score a goal and add five assists in 70 regular season games and no points in three games in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Xhekaj has ten goals and 23 assists in 230 regualr season games.

This article first appeared on The Sick Podcast and was syndicated with permission.

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