Arber Xhekaj Signs One-Year, $1.5M Deal With Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens signed defenseman Arber Xhekaj to a one-year, $1.5 million contract on the eve of training camp. The deal keeps the 26-year-old under team control, as he will remain a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer. With Kaiden Guhle expected to miss the start of the season until November, Xhekaj has a prime opportunity to secure a regular lineup spot as the sixth defenseman under new defensive assistant coach Derek Lalonde.