Canadiens RFA D-man Arber Xhekaj wants to stay in Montreal, says agent

Arber Xhekaj‘s future with the Montreal Canadiens remains unresolved, but his agent has said that the defenseman wants to stay. As a restricted free agent, Xhekaj is still without a new NHL contract. However, both sides appear willing to continue negotiations before training camp.

Speaking about the situation, agent Brian Bartlett stressed Xhekaj’s commitment to the organization. He said, “He loves playing in Montreal, he loves the fans, he loves the city. Our hope collectively is that we can find a way to make it work in Montreal.”

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Bartlett also downplayed concerns about the timeline. He said, “The Montreal Canadiens are going to do what’s best (for them), and Arber Xhekaj will do what’s best (for him).” He then added, “We still have a lot of time until training camp. There’s no panic.”

Xhekaj’s previous contract carried a $1.3 million annual cap hit and expired after the 2025-26 season.

During that season, Xhekaj played 65 games and recorded four points. More importantly, he led Montreal with 178 hits and collected 116 penalty minutes. He also elevated his game in the playoffs, posting two points and a plus-five rating in 13 games as the Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference Final.

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Canadiens have reasons to keep Xhekaj in the fold

Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) plays the puck at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Montreal finished 48-24-10 with 106 points last season. The Canadiens won two playoff rounds before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. General manager Kent Hughes has since reshaped the roster around a young core led by Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov.

The blue line has become increasingly competitive with Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, David Reinbacher, and Alexandre Carrier. Even so, Xhekaj fills a unique role that few defenders can match: a physical blueliner ready to drop his gloves and protect his teammates.

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Xhekaj’s physical edge remains valuable in playoff hockey. Montreal does not need him to produce offense. The Canadiens need him to protect their players, win battles, and provide toughness.

Bartlett’s comments suggest both sides remain aligned, making a contract agreement before camp the most likely outcome.