Arber Xhekaj: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson was a late injury-scratch just about a half hour before the Canadiens took on the Dallas Stars in the final game of their current four-game road trip.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 27

Arber Xhekaj will not play tonight | Jacob Fowler in goal

Martin St-Louis spoke to the media before today’s game. As reported by Marc Denis, Jacob Fowler will ultimately be in net for the Habs tonight. He'll face off against Jordan Binnington for the Blues.

Montreal Canadiens News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 25

Canadiens Activate Florian Xhekaj

The Montreal Canadiens returned a fourth-line forward just before the start of the Heritage Classic. According to Sportnet’s Eric Engels, the Canadiens added Florian Xhekaj to the lineup for tonight’s game, indicating that he has been activated from injured reserve.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NHL Hart Trophy winners' quiz

Can you name every winner of the Hart Trophy, which honors the most valuable player in the NHL, since 1983?

The 'Most goals in NHL history' quiz

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The '2026-27 NHL captains' quiz

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 22

VIDEO: Arber Xhekaj was hit… by a man on an electric scooter

The Canadiens players and car accidents—they go hand in hand. Emil Heineman getting hit by a car in Salt Lake City, Jacob Fowler getting hit by a car in Belleville… We can add Arber Xhekaj's name to the list, too!

NHL News / Yardbarker

The biggest draft bust for every NHL team

People love a good mid-round draft pick that pans out, and in the NHL you used to see those fairly often, but that’s obviously partially luck. If the Red Wings thought Nicklas Lidstrom was going to become a top-five defenseman in history, they wouldn’t have waited until the 53rd pick to take him.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 21

Penalties: Cole Caufield Blames Jakub Dobes and Arber Xhekaj

I mentioned it briefly this morning, but penalties are among the reasons behind the Canadiens' loss. It's not the only reason (Jake Evans' and Lane Hutson's mistakes on the opponent's first two goals are also worth noting), but it's part of the explanation.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 16

Arber’s New Mission, Crosby’s Future, and a Slap in the Face for Puygachyov

Arber Xhekaj isn’t a perfect defender. He has his strengths… and he also has his weaknesses. But you know what? The Sheriff hasn't been playing bad hockey since the start of the season.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / October 16

Juraj Slafkovsky Misses Practice; Florian Xhekaj Update

Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky missed practice on Friday and the team also gave an update on injured forward Florian Xhekaj who has not skated since October 8.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / October 12

Florian Xhekaj Injured; Montreal Canadiens Call Up Owen Beck

Already down two regulars in their forward group, and with forward Florian Xhekaj suffering an injury in practice on Monday, the Montreal Canadiens have called up forward Owen Beck from the Laval Rocket.

Montreal Canadiens News / A Winning Habit / October 10

Montreal Canadiens shake up lineup with surprising roster twist against Detroit

The Montreal Canadiens are set to play the Detroit Red Wings later on Saturday and are set to do something for the first time this season. Florian Xhekaj is dealing with an injury and Oliver Kapanen seemingly not ready to return, the Canadiens are expected to have 11 forwards and seven defensemen active for the game against Detroit.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 10

Engstrom or Reinbacher: The CH’s New Dilemma After Struble vs. Xhekaj

Jayden Struble's departure puts an end to a dilemma for the Montreal Canadiens that lasted two full seasons and the start of this season. That dilemma was the choice between Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble, as everyone knew that one day, the Habs would have to decide which of the two to keep.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 9

Arber Xhekaj missed the last two optional practices

This morning, the Canadiens held an optional practice in Brossard. Twelve players from the team decided to take to the ice. Oliver Kapanen, Juraj Slafkovsky,

Montreal Canadiens News / A Winning Habit / October 7

Montreal Canadiens third defensive pair struggles in defeat to the Hurricanes

The Montreal Canadiens turned in their worst defensive effort in quite some time Tuesday, allowing six goals in a hard-fought 6-4 defeat to the reigning

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The '140-yard, 2-TD catch NFL games' quiz

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 4

Florian Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom are set to play in the CH’s home opener

On Tuesday night, the Canadiens will play their home opener against the Hurricanes, who eliminated the Montreal team in five games this spring in the Conference Finals.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / September 21

Lariviere: Florian Xhekaj Could Make Things Difficult For Canadiens

It may be early in training camp, but Montreal Canadiens forward prospect Florian Xhekaj has been one of the biggest standouts. If he continues to play this well, he might force management’s hand into giving him a spot on the opening night roster.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / September 18

Montreal Canadiens Camp Notes: Florian Xhekaj Standing Out

The lines and defensive pairings remained the same for the Montreal Canadiens on Friday but one player who stood out was forward Florian Xhekaj. On Friday, the younger Xhekaj, who continued to skate alongside Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson, was all over the ice during the Team B scrimmage.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL Trade Talk / September 17

Xhekaj Says His Unfavorable Deal with the Canadiens Presents Unique Opportunity

Arber Xhekaj spoke with the media in Montreal on Thursday, just hours after signing a one-year extension with the Montreal Canadiens. He didn’t shy away from discussing his new contract, making clear it wasn’t necessarily his first choice — but one he sees as an opportunity.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / September 16

Arber Xhekaj on the attack: 'It can happen,' says Martin St-Louis

Could Arber Xhekaj do what he did once during the 2025–2026 season—play on offense? The question was posed to Martin St-Louis during his press conference today.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL Trade Talk / September 15

What Xhekaj’s One-Year Deal Says About Where He Really Stands

There’s something interesting about Arber Xhekaj getting only a one-year, $ 1.5 million contract from the Montreal Canadiens. Kent Hughes has spent much of the offseason doing something pretty different with his young players.

Montreal Canadiens News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 15

Canadiens sign Arber Xhekaj to one-year deal ahead of training camp

The Montreal Canadiens have gotten their final restricted free agent signed ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Canadiens sign head coach Martin St. Louis to multi-year extension

Canadiens sign Alex Newhook to four-year extension: Instant reaction, analysis

The 'Last 50-goal NHL season by team' quiz

Montreal Canadiens News / Daily Faceoff / September 15

Canadiens re-sign Arber Xhekaj to one-year contract

One of the toughest kids in the NHL is sticking around La Belle Province. On Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced that the team has re-signed defenseman Arber Xhekaj to a one-year contract.

Montreal Canadiens News / Professor Press Box / September 15

What Will the Canadiens Do with Arber Xhekaj Long-Term?

A certain kind of optimism exists only in Montreal. It usually arrives somewhere between the end of the season and the beginning of training camp, when every contract negotiation still seems capable of ending well, and every young player is about to become exactly the player everybody hopes he will be.

Montreal Canadiens News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 14

Canadiens, Arber Xhekaj Nearing Contract Extension

According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Arber Xhekaj is nearing a contract extension to stay a Habitant. That would be a habitant of the Montreal area, of course.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL Trade Talk / September 8

GM and Coach Misaligned in Montreal on What to Do with Arber Xhekaj?

There’s been talk of late about what the Montreal Canadiens should do with defenseman Arber Xhekaj. Still unsigned, trade speculation has surfaced, as has the idea of moving him from the blue line to forward, simply because he doesn’t have a guaranteed spot as a defender with this current roster.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL Trade Talk / September 5

Bold Idea for Canadiens Includes a Big Change for D-Man Arber Xhekaj

Arber Xhekaj‘s future with the Montreal Canadiens remains unclear, as the 25-year-old defenceman is still unsigned as a restricted free agent with training camp fast approaching.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / August 18

Suggested Trade Sees Canadiens Deal Arber Xhekaj to the Ducks

The Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks both had solid campaigns last season. The Canadiens got to the Eastern Conference Final, where they were eliminated

Montreal Canadiens News / Pro Hockey Rumors / August 13

Canadiens weighing sign-and-trade options for Arber Xhekaj, Zachary Bolduc

“If I had my druthers, we did it yesterday.” That is what Kent Hughes, general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, said on July 1 after being unable to swing on a big move that he was looking for.

Projecting Josh Anderson extension with Montreal

The 'Last 70-assist season by NHL team' quiz

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / July 31

Canadiens need to consider trading Arber Xhekaj

Arber Xhekaj has become one of the most popular players on the Montreal Canadiens’ roster since making his NHL debut. His physical style, willingness to stand up for teammates, and underdog story have made him a fan favourite at the Bell Centre.