Xhekaj Says His Unfavorable Deal with the Canadiens Presents Unique Opportunity

Arber Xhekaj spoke with the media in Montreal on Thursday, just hours after signing a one-year extension with the Montreal Canadiens. He didn’t shy away from discussing his new contract, making clear it wasn’t necessarily his first choice — but one he sees as an opportunity.

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“Am I happy? Well, obviously I’d like to stay for longer term, but this kinda gives me a chance to work for the next deal,” Xhekaj said. “I’d love to sign long-term here or longer than one year. I think I can make that happen.”

He added that the shorter-term deal isn’t all bad. “It gives me an opportunity to prove myself and show that I can stay for longer if they need me.”

Getting a deal done before training camp opened was also a priority for Xhekaj, who said he didn’t want to be a distraction or miss time with his teammates. “I didn’t want to hold out or anything. I want to be with the boys. I want to practice with the guys and start on time like everybody else. And I think that was big for me, to not hold out and just get it going,” he said.

Xhekaj also spoke glowingly about his time in Montreal and what’s kept him motivated to stay.

“What’s not to love? It’s an unbelievable place to play. We’re building something special here and it’s like a family in that locker room,” he said. “Growing up, you’re chasing the Stanley Cup, and it’s not too far away for us, so I would love to be a part of that.”

He also touched on the possibility of taking on a new role within the lineup, saying he’s open to whatever the team needs from him going forward. It’s not a given, but he and head coach Martin St. Louis did have a brief discussion at the end of last season about it.

Regardless of where he plays, Xhekaj will look to build on last season and make his case for a longer stay in Montreal.

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