Arber Xhekaj News

Adam Engstrom will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing Xhekaj to return from a one-game absence. The 24-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:40 time-on-ice and has one assist and 40 penalty minutes in 20 games. The usually hard-hitting defenseman has seen a massive dip in his hit production this season, averaging only 1.5 hits per game, after averaging 2.8 in his previous three seasons.

Adam Engstrom will draw into the lineup for his season debut on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth, with Xhekaj being the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:40 time-on-ice and has one assist and 40 penalty minutes in 20 games. The usually hard-hitting defenseman has seen a massive dip in his hit production this season, averaging only 1.5 hits per game, after averaging 2.8 in his previous three seasons.

For the first time this season, Xhekaj will head to the sidelines to serve as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 10:53 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A), five blocks, and nine hits through four games this season. Jayden Struble will draw into Montreal's lineup as Xhekaj's replacement.

Xhekaj will slot in on Friday as the Habs look to add a more physical presence to their Game 3 lineup. Jayden Struble will sit in his place.

Xhekaj was a healthy scratch for Thursday's game in Washington but he will replace Justin Barron in the lineup on Saturday. Xhekaj has no points and a minus-6 rating in eight games this season.

Xhekaj has played the last three games but will return to being a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Through eight games this season, Xhekaj has seven blocks and 16 hits but an ugly -6 plus/minus.

After a two-game absence, Xhekaj will draw back into the Canadiens' lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. In five games this season, Xhekaj has zero points, a -4 plus/minus, and 10 hits.

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.

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.

Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. Xhekaj played 13:53 time-on-ice in his last outing, recording a -2 plus/minus, two shots, and two hits.

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.

Xhekaj played 17 games with the Canadiens earlier this season but has been with the Laval Rocket (AHL) since November. Xhekaj has three points (1G / 2A) and should continue to build on the 2.41 hits per game he is averaging thus far.

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.

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.