Montreal Canadiens fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The Sheriff is staying in town.
On Tuesday morning, the team revealed details of a new contract extension with defenceman Arber Xhekaj.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a two-year contract (2024-25 to 2025-26) with defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/thE0cyLWcY
— Canadiens MontrĂ©al (@CanadiensMTL) July 30, 2024
As per a press release, the two parties agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.6 million contract (2024-25 to 2025-26). The new deal will pay the 23-year-old an average annual salary of $1.3 million starting this season.
Xhekaj, who went undrafted and joined Montreal as a free agent in 2021, played 44 games with the Canadiens last season, netting three goals and 10 points. He also saw a brief 17-game midseason stint in the AHL with the Laval Rocket.
With the 6-foot-4 Hamilton native now locked up on a multi-year deal, the Habs have just one RFA contract left to get settled in fellow blueliner Justin Barron.