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Arber Xhekaj News
Montreal has signed Arber Xhekaj to a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension ($1,300,000 AAV).

Montreal locked up their designated "tough guy" on Tuesday after they signed Arber Xhekah to a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension ($1,300,000 AAV). The undrafted 23-year-old is entering his third NHL season after putting up three goals and 10 points in 44 games played in 2023-24. In 95 career NHL games played, he has 182 PIMs.

Arber Xhekaj
Xhekaj will undergo season-ending left shoulder surgery on Wednesday and is out for the remainder of the season.

Xhekaj has not played the last two games and will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. The 23-year-old Xhekaj spent the first half of the season between the NHL and AHL but has been a fixture with the Canadiens for the last couple of months. He ends the season with 10 points (3G / 7A), 121 hits, and 49 blocks in 44 games.

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Xhekaj will draw back into the Canadiens' lineup on Tuesday vs. Washington.

Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. Xhekaj was a healthy scratch in the Canadiens last game before the All-Star break but was in the lineup for two straight before then, recording six penalty minutes, two shots, and four hits.

Arber Xhekaj
Xhekaj has been recalled from Laval (AHL).

Xhekaj spent just over two months with Laval (AHL) but has earned his call up back to Montreal after scoring three goals, 11 points, 34 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 17 games with the Rocket this season. The 22-year-old tough guy returns to the Canadiens, where he appeared in 17 games prior to being sent down and had a goal and two assists to go along with 47 PIMs.

Arber Xhekaj
Arber Xhekaj (upper body) has been activated off the Injured Reserve and loaned to Laval (AHL).

Xhekaj has not played since November 16th and has been loaned to Laval (AHL) where he will get some game-action and conditioning before presumably returning to Montreal. In 17 games this season, Xhekaj has three points (1G / 2A), 47 penalty minutes, and 41 hits.

Arber Xhekaj
Arber Xhakaj (upper body) will miss at least the next three games as he didn't travel with the team on their road trip.

Xhakaj did not play on Saturday and will not travel with the Canadiens on their upcoming California road trip, meaning he will miss at least three more games. Xhakaj has seen his ice time decrease significantly in recent games, averaging only 12:34 time-on-ice in his last six games after averaging 16:29 in his previous 10 games. He has three points (1G / 2A) in 19 games this season.

Arber Xhekaj
Arber Xhekaj (upper body) is considered day-to-day after leaving Montreal's previous game.

Xhekaj played only 10:19 before exiting the game with an upper-body injury and is now considered day-to-day after not practicing Friday. He has three points (1G / 2A) in 17 games this season along with 41 hits and 47 penalty minutes. Xhekaj's status will be re-evaluated on Friday.

Arber Xhekaj
Arber Xhekaj (upper body) left Montreal's game vs Vegas early and will be re-evaluated Friday.

Xhekaj played only 10:19 before exiting the game with an upper-body injury. He has three points (1G / 2A) in 17 games this season along with 41 hits and 47 penalty minutes. Xhekaj's status will be re-evaluated on Friday.

Arber Xhekaj