Montreal Canadiens Role Profiles: Arber Xhekaj

Unfortunately for Xhekaj, he wasn’t able to get the trust of head coach Martin St. Louis when he was in the lineup. While he suited up for more games, both in the regular season and postseason, than Jayden Struble when he was in the lineup, he played a lot less than his teammate. Xhekaj averaged 2:40 less than Struble in the regular season. In the playoffs, Struble played 11:40 a night in his 12 postseason games, while Xhekaj averaged just 8:05 in the 13 playoff games that he suited up for.

As a result, there is a possibility that things have soured between Xhekaj’s camp and the Montreal Canadiens, as he is someone who regularly plays five minutes less than the next lowest defenseman on the team. This could explain why both his contract hasn’t been resolved yet and also why he has been discussed in trade rumours. Now, that’s not to say this is the case, but rather that the way the Canadiens have used Xhekaj could be why he hasn’t signed just yet. 

On the other side of things, to play devil’s advocate, Xhekaj has been known to take bad penalties throughout his time in the NHL. With that being said, mixed with him being slower than Struble defensively, it explains why St. Louis keeps his minutes low when he’s in the lineup. 

While Xhekaj has gotten better when it comes to his penalties, the fact is that when he isn’t playing overly physical, he loses the x-factor that makes him so important to the Montreal Canadiens, and without that, it’s hard to argue that he deserves to get regular minutes on a competitive playoff team. Therefore, the Canadiens shouldn’t be ready to give Xhekaj a big pay raise like many others are getting around the league, with the salary cap expected to jump.

If the Canadiens and Xhekaj can agree to terms on a two-or-three-year deal worth about $2 million per season, that seems fair for a sixth-seventh defenseman who plays less than 12 minutes a night. As of now, Xhekaj hasn’t proven that he’s worth more than that with how he’s played outside his fighting and hitting abilities. 

Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette told Tony Marinaro on an episode of the Sick Podcast last week, “The best thing I think at this point for Arber Xhekaj’s career is to go somewhere else where they’re going to play him.” 

The truth is Xhekaj may not be part of the Montreal Canadiens’ plans anymore, and even if he signs with them, Xhekaj’s spot in the NHL isn’t guaranteed anymore. Both Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher are waiting for their chance to get a full-time NHL role. With a strong camp from the young defenders, it could push either or both Xhekaj and Struble off the roster to start the regular season.

This means that Xhekaj will need to come into camp ready to compete for his role on the team, because his time in Montreal could be coming to an end sooner rather than later if he doesn’t perform well at training camp. 

With the Montreal Canadiens, Xhekaj’s role will be rather simple for the 2026-27 season; he will continue to serve as an enforcer-type player in case some of the more skilled guys get targeted, while also playing limited minutes as the sixth or seventh defenseman. However, he remains an RFA and will need to sign his contract soon to be there at the start of training camp. There is a possibility he could be on the move at some point over the next few weeks, but for now he is still a Hab, and he will be discussed as one. 

Do you believe that Xhekaj will start the 2026-27 season with the Montreal Canadiens?

Check out yesterday’s Role Profile on forward Jake Evans in case you missed it.