Montreal Canadiens Ink Arber Xhekaj to One-Year Deal

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Tuesday evening that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Arber Xhekaj on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

The news of Arber Xhekaj re-signing comes just one day after Montreal Canadiens President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton told the reporters at the team’s annual golf tournament that the defenseman would likely be signed, sealed and delivered the opening of training camp on Wednesday.

“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,” said Jeff Gorton to the assembled media.

When training camp starts on Wednesday, Arber Xhekaj will be getting ready to start his fifth NHL season with the Canadiens. Xhekaj played 65 games with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2025-26 campaign, where he scored a goal and four points while having a -6 rating. The 25-year-old defenseman led all Canadiens players with 178 hits and also had a team-leading 116 penalty minutes while averaging 11:25 of ice time. 

During the post-season, Xhekaj suited up in 13 of the Montreal Canadiens’ 19 games in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hamilton, Ontario, native scored a goal and added an assist in the playoffs. Meanwhile, his 45 hits ranked second among defensemen and fourth on the entire team. Xhekaj averaged 8:05 a night during his 13 playoff outings.

Xhekaj was originally signed by the Canadiens as an undrafted free agent after being a training camp invite in 2021. He made the Montreal Canadiens out of training camp just one year later. In his four seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Xhekaj has played 230 NHL games, where he has recorded 10 goals and 33 points while having 416 penalty minutes. The physical defenseman has been in 28 NHL fights and has dished out 642 hits throughout his career.