Canadiens Considerations In Arber Xhekaj Contract Negotiations

Few players have enjoyed a more eventful entry to the NHL than Montreal Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj, who is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

His physical prowess has certainly added a certain level of entertainment to the mix, a crucial aspect of keeping fans engaged during seasons in which the Canadiens struggle to reach 30 wins.

Arber Xhekaj’s Value

Of course, the 23-year-old Hamilton native contributes more than big hits and heavyweight tilts.

While the Habs have an overabundance of young defencemen in the organization, most have struggled to maintain decent underlying numbers in the NHL. That’s perfectly normal for a team going through a rebuild. However, when one particular defenceman manages to produce above-replacement possession numbers in a sea of mediocrity, it’s worth paying close attention.

We don’t need to go over the numbers again as we’ve already delved into the issue ad nauseam but suffice it to say Xhekaj has improved his play to the point where he could be considered a core member of the defensive group.

That may sound silly, especially since there’s a tendency in the NHL to write off third-line defencemen as easily replaceable assets, but there’s value to a player producing very encouraging numbers, even if it’s in a situation that’s conducive to playing well.

Many defencemen spend most of their time on the third pairing, but little to none bring as much to the table as Xhekaj.

Arber Xhekaj shoots THROUGH the net. pic.twitter.com/ESsltMpR4e

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 8, 2023

Montreal Canadiens – Arber Xhekaj Contract Comparables

Beyond Xhekaj, the only players who will be considered for extensions are defenceman Justin Barron and forward Jesse Ylonen, both set to become restricted free agents.

The Canadiens will have ample cap space, though they have players such as Kaiden Guhle and Juraj Slafkovsky on the contract extension docket the following season, which means they’ll have to be careful about their expenditures going forward.

MUST READ: Canadiens Salary Cap Situation Gives Team Plenty Of Exciting Options

Xhekaj is a unique defenceman, but there are a few players who could give us insight as to the possible price range of an extension.

Fellow Hab Jordan Harris recently signed a two-year contract extension that carries a $1.4 million annual average value (AAV). Both Harris and Xhekaj have maintained the same production rate at 5v5 and are severely underrated by fans and the media alike.

Statistically speaking, Xhekaj was a little better in 2023-24, but not enough to suggest he deserves significantly more than his fellow blueliner.

We can also look to the deal signed by Jeremy Lauzon in 2022-23, which pays him $2 million per season. Lauzon is a hard-hitting defenceman who took a little more time than Xhekaj to break into the NHL, and he doesn’t come close to matching Xhekaj’s offensive aptitude.

Former Hab Brett Kulak was given a three-year, $1.85 million AAV contract by Marc Bergevin in 2019-20, a deal that proved to be quite valuable for the Canadiens, especially when you consider the draft pick acquired in the trade-deadline deal that sent Kulak to the Oilers turned out to be phenom Lane Hutson.

Arber Xhekaj Extension Considerations

Xhekaj is a good player in a somewhat limited role, but like any other member of the NHLPA, there are a few considerations to weigh before Kent Hughes and Co. engage in serious contract negotiations.

The first thing that comes to mind is his health.

Playing an intensely physical brand of hockey comes with a cost.

Xhekaj has had to endure back-to-back season-ending surgeries.

It’s probably not fair to suggest his health status could be taken into serious consideration. One of the main reasons fans fell in love with Xhekaj in the first place is because he put his body on the line to defend his team.

But such is life in professional sports.

The next important factor will be maintaining a balanced budget as the team continues to build toward the future. The Canadiens are one of the league’s youngest teams, which suggests most of their players are yet to hit their statistical primes and will be looking for raises in the near future.

On the flip side of the coin, Hughes is aware of what Xhekaj represents to the organization.

Xhekaj is the player who has solved many of the longstanding insecurities held by Habs fans, which were born from watching their favourite team get pushed around for years, perhaps even decades.

He’s the new Lyle Odelein, wrapped in a Chris Nilan veneer, though I’d also suggest he’s similar to John Ferguson Junior, in the sense that he’s one of the toughest players in the NHL, but does not necessarily need to fight to prove his worth.

And though his fists are weapons of mass destruction, he’s more valuable to the team on the ice than in the penalty box.

How to summon Arber Xhekaj: pic.twitter.com/Yr9aVDWLp0

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 8, 2023

Canadiens Long-Term Strategies

Most defencemen in Xhekaj’s situation will be handed a bridge deal, as was the case for both Lauzon and Kulak.

But there is merit in locking down players who provide an underrated value to the franchise.

Xhekaj probably isn’t going to win a Norris Trophy next season, but given his underlying numbers, unique profile, and penchant for spicing up otherwise tedious hockey games, the Canadiens should probably explore long-term contract extension options.

Again, health is a legitimate issue, as is the overall budget throughout the rebuild, but by offering Xhekaj slightly more than he would have gotten in a bridge deal, the Canadiens could end up saving important salary cap space down the road.

It would not only reward Xhekaj and confirm his importance to the organization, but it would also provide him with stability, something he was not afforded when every NHL team including the Canadiens ignored him at the draft.

Of course, Xhekaj’s camp may not want to negotiate a long-term deal, and that would be perfectly understandable. Many teams around the NHL would be glad to add a play of his ilk to the mix. If he were to hit free agency, he’d have a laundry list of top teams bidding for his services.

But it’s difficult to picture Arber Xhekaj in another uniform.

The Canadiens provided him with an opportunity to prove his worth, while Xhekaj has provided the team with literal blood, sweat, and tears.

It’s a perfectly symbiotic relationship.