A two-year, $4 million contract has emerged as a realistic landing spot for Arber Xhekaj and the Canadiens, and the math behind it is pretty straightforward.
One analyst’s view is that Xhekaj should not be valued above $2 million per season. That would put him at $2 million for one year, $4 million across two years, or $6 million over three years, with the two-year, $4 million arrangement seen as the most likely outcome.
The case for that number comes down to role. Xhekaj is being viewed as a sixth- or seventh-defenseman who logs fewer than 12 minutes a game, and that kind of usage doesn’t usually point to a major payday. A short-term deal at that price would fit what he’s done so far.
So far, he hasn’t shown enough to command more money, at least beyond the value he brings as a fighter and a physical hitter, according to The Sick Podcast. That edge is still part of what makes him useful, but it’s not enough on its own to push him into a bigger contract tier.
Xhekaj made $1.3 million last season, so a deal in this range would still be a meaningful raise. Even so, it would sit well below the larger salaries being handed out around the NHL, especially as the salary cap keeps climbing and other players are cashing in.
That gap helps explain why his contract talks have lingered and why his name keeps popping up in trade rumors. His limited ice time is working against him.
If there’s a path to more money, it runs through Martin St-Louis. Xhekaj would need to convince him to hand over real minutes, particularly in the playoffs, if he wants to change the conversation around his value.
The big question now is simple: will this be the season Xhekaj finally gets those consistent minutes?
In Other News...
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Adam Engstrom is one of the names believed to have real value in those talks, and that alone says plenty about how the market views him. The bigger question for Montreal is how far it is willing to go in pursuit of an impact forward and a proven right-shot defenseman, with the kind of upgrade it wants likely requiring a notable sacrifice before anything actually gets over the line. [Read more 🡒]
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Montembeault is also in the final year of his contract, which adds to the intrigue around his future. After a rough statistical season, he still profiles as the type of goalie a team in Columbus's position could examine if it wants stability or insurance, and Montreal would have to at least consider whether this is the right moment to explore value. No trade has been confirmed, but the fit is obvious enough that this is now one of those situations worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Samuel Montembeaults Trade Market Just Got More Interesting
Samuel Montembeaults name has been floating through plenty of trade talk, but he remains with the Canadiens for now as the market around him keeps shifting. One of the more notable developments came in Columbus, where the Blue Jackets added another wrinkle to their goaltending picture and, by extension, to any conversation about teams looking for help in net.
For Montembeault, the timing matters. He has not been dealt despite the speculation, and situations like this can change the way clubs value available goalies, especially when a roster suddenly needs a steadier option. Even without a move yet, the window for Montembeault to carve out a firmer NHL foothold may be getting a little more interesting. [Read more 🡒]