Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has chosen not to file for salary arbitration, making him a restricted free agent eligible for an offer sheet.
The decision comes after a season in which the 24‑year‑old’s role on the roster has been steadily shrinking, both in minutes per game and in overall impact.
Contract background and cap implications
Xhekaj’s most recent deal was a two‑year agreement that carried a $1.3 million cap hit, a figure that placed him among the team’s more modestly paid depth forwards.
He appeared in 65 games last season, contributing a goal and three assists for a total of four points, while leading the club with 178 hits — a statistic that underscores his physical brand of hockey.
Ice‑time trends and recent usage
His average ice time dropped to an all‑time low of 11 minutes and 25 seconds, marking the second consecutive season of decline. In the playoffs, his minutes fell further, with just 8 minutes and 6 seconds per game across 13 appearances, and a mere 1 minute and 52 seconds in his final contest against the Buffalo Sabres.
Potential offer sheet scenarios
Because he did not file for arbitration, Xhekaj becomes a restricted free agent who can be targeted with an offer sheet. The compensation rules vary by cap hit: offers below $1,544,424 would require no draft‑pick compensation, while amounts between $1,544,425 and $2,340,037 would be rewarded with a third‑round selection. Given that only 17 teams still possess a third‑round pick, the pool of potential suitors is limited.
The Canadiens retain the right to match any offer sheet or, failing that, receive the stipulated compensation. General manager Kent Hughes has indicated that the club will evaluate any incoming proposal on a case‑by‑case basis.
Xhekaj is not the only Canadiens player facing arbitration decisions. While Brett Berard, Sean Farrell, Jared Davidson, Hunter McKown and Maksymilian Szuber have all opted out of the process, forward Zachary Bolduc does not hold arbitration rights. Forward Kirby Dach is the sole other restricted free agent who has filed for arbitration within the organization.
The coming weeks will likely see a flurry of negotiations as other clubs assess whether to pursue an offer sheet for Xhekaj, weighing his physicality and hit‑making ability against the constraints of the NHL’s compensation system.