Montreal Canadiens sign Newhook for 4-year extension, Xhekaj to 1-year deal
The Montreal Canadiens have checked off the final contracts on their to-do list extending Alex Newhook and signing defenceman Arber Xhekaj.
Newhook had 13 goals and 25 points in 42 games last season, missing time with a fractured ankle that required surgery. He returned in late February and made a big impact in the playoffs, scoring 10 points in 19 games, including the game-winning goal in two Game 7s.
The team announced Tuesday, Newhook has agreed to a four-year, $22.2-million contract extension. The new deal will begin next season after Newhook plays out the final year of a four-year, $11.6-million contract.
The 25-year-old Newhook is part of an emerging young core of Canadiens forwards looking to build off last season’s trip to the Eastern Conference Final. That group includes captain Nick Suzuki, sniper Cole Caufield, power forward Juraj Slafkovsky and rookie of the year runner-up Ivan Demidov. With Newhook now signed, all five of those forwards are under contract until at least 2030.
Newhook deal details
- Length: 4 years
- Value: $22,200,000
- Average Annual Value: $5,500,000
- Expiry: 2030-2031
- Status: RFA
Habs also announced that defenceman Arber Xhekaj has agreed to a one-year deal, worth $1.5 million. The 25-year-old Xhekaj appeared in 65 games last season, scoring a goal and four points while averaging 11:25 minutes of ice time.
Xhekaj also appeared in 13 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he had a pair of points.
Montreal signed the Hamilton, Ont., native as an undrafted free agent back in October of 2021.
Xhekaj deal details
- Length: 1 year
- Value: $1,500,000
- Average Annual Value: $1,500,000
- Expiry: 2026-2027
- Status: RFA
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