Arber Xhekaj: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Canadiens bring back Arber Xhekaj on a short-term deal that benefits both sides

The Montreal Canadiens got their last piece of offseason business done on Tuesday with a new one-year deal for defenseman Arber Xhekaj. He was a restricted free agent this summer, and it took almost the entire summer to agree on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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.

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

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Arber Xhekaj 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.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL Rumors / September 13

NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens Slow Playing Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc Signings

Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com and Full Press NHL was on TSN Radio in Montreal and was asked why players like Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj haven’t signed yet, and whether there is a rush to get these deals done.

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 / Dose.ca / September 8

Arber Xhekaj on the offensive: Is the front office more open-minded than Martin St-Louis?

Are you looking forward to it starting? Starting next week, the Canadiens' training camp will get underway. And we'll start to get some answers about the lines Martin St-Louis has put together.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / September 6

'I think Arber Xhekaj could be a good third-pair defenseman, but not with the CH.'

When will Arber Xhekaj's contract be extended? That's one of the most frequently asked questions in Montreal, along with the situation involving Zachary Bolduc, who is also still without a contract.

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 / 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 / September 4

Arber Xhekaj on the attack: his junior coach is (very) skeptical

With less than two weeks to go before training camp begins, Arber Xhekaj has still not reached an agreement with the Canadiens (neither has Zachary Bolduc).

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / September 3

NHL Rumors: Oilers PTO Plan, Canadiens Patience with Marchenko, Bolduc, and Xhekaj

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, are the Edmonton Oilers planning on bringing in a player or two on a PTO? GM Stan Bowman addressed that idea this week. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens remain linked to Kirill Marchenko and it sounds like they are ready to wait for a player who will eventually want out of Columbus.

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Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / September 2

Arber Xhekaj’s Contract: His Agent Isn’t Giving Anything Away

It's early September, training camp starts at the end of the month, and two key players are still without contracts. You know exactly who I'm talking about; do I need to say it again?

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / September 2

Montreal Canadiens Top 10 Prospects: #10-#9

The Montreal Canadiens have seen many of their top prospects graduate to the NHL over the past few seasons. Despite this, the Canadiens still have a very solid prospect group. In the next few days, I’ll discuss my top 10 prospects in the Montreal Canadiens organization.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / September 2

Canadiens’ Bolduc and Xhekaj Contract Talks Fuel Speculation as Camp Nears

The Montreal Canadiens are getting closer to the start of training camp, but there is still some business for general manager Kent Hughes to take care of.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / September 1

It would be understandable if Arber Xhekaj wanted to leave

Arber Xhekaj finds himself in a somewhat precarious situation. He still hasn't signed his contract for next season, and the Canadiens' training camp is set to begin in just a few days.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / August 31

RUMOR | The CH is reportedly interested in signing Arber Xhekaj as a winger

Although the start of the season is fast approaching, there has still been no announcement regarding the contract signings of Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / August 31

Brossard: Cole Caufield and Arber Xhekaj Take to the Ice for the First Time This Summer

Today is August 31. Tomorrow will be September 1. Where did the summer go? At least September means the golf tournament, rookie camp, and the Canadiens' training camp.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / August 29

Arber Xhekaj: His agent refuses to comment on the matter

Now that Cale Makar has signed his contract extension, another top defenseman is waiting to sign his deal. Quinn Hughes Arber Xhekaj still doesn't have a contract lined up for next season, and time is running out before the season starts.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / August 28

Bolduc and Xhekaj are still waiting (and the reason could be a major trade)

Earlier this summer, Connor Hellebuyck or his agent had let it be known that he wanted to be traded. As of yesterday, this is no longer just a rumor; Connor Hellebuyck has publicly stated that he wants to play for another team because he wants to win.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / August 19

Montreal Canadiens Role Profiles: Arber Xhekaj

As we get into the dog days of summer and until training camp, thesickpodcast.com will profile Montreal Canadiens players based on their expected role for the 2026-27 NHL season.

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

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / August 4