Arber Xhekaj is a Canadian defenseman who joined the Montreal Canadiens as an undrafted free agent in 2021. After being overlooked in drafts, he gained recognition while playing junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers and Hamilton Bulldogs. He helped the Bulldogs win the J. Ross Robertson Cup and earned All-Star honors at the Memorial Cup. Xhekaj made his NHL debut in 2022 and scored his first NHL goal before suffering a season-ending injury in February 2023.
In the 2024–25 preseason, Xhekaj was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct in a game against Toronto. He played his 100th NHL game on October 17. Though praised for much of the season, he was scratched for the Canadiens’ final five regular-season games. He missed the start of the 2025 playoffs but made his NHL playoff debut in game 3 against the Washington Capitals on April 25.
Arber Xhekaj Contract
Arber Xhekaj is under a two-year deal worth $2,600,000 with the Montreal Canadiens, with a guaranteed amount of $2,600,000 and an average annual salary of $1,300,000. In the 2024-25 season, he will earn a base salary of $1,300,000, with a cap hit of $1,300,000. His contract runs through the 2025-26 season, after which he will become a restricted free agent, according to Spotrac.
Arber Xhekaj Contract Breakdown
Arber Xhekaj's contract for the 2024-25 season includes a base salary of $1,300,000. He does not have a signing bonus for this year. His cap hit for the season is also $1,300,000, and there is no dead cap. His total yearly cash for the 2024-25 season is $1,300,000.
| Year | Age | Cap Hit Annual | Cash Annual | Cash Cumulative |
| 2024-25 | 24 | $1,300,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,300,000 |
| 2025-26 | 25 | $1,300,000 | $1,300,000 | $2,600,000 |
| 2026-27 | 26 | RFA |
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Arber Xhekaj Salary: How much is Arber Xhekaj getting paid?
Arber Xhekaj is getting paid a base salary of $1,300,000 for the 2024-25 season. His contract has a cap hit of $1,300,000 as well, as per Spotrac.
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2024-25 | $1,300,000 | - | $1,300,000 | - | $1,300,000 |
How much does Arber Xhekaj make in a minute?
Arber Xhekaj makes approximately $2.47 per minute based on his $1,300,000 salary for the 2024-25 season.
Arber Xhekaj’s Career Earnings
As of 2025, Arber Xhekaj's career earnings amount to $2,528,988.
| Year | Cash Cumulative |
| 2022 | $820,000 |
| 2023 | $1,228,988 |
| 2024 | $2,528,988 |
| Total | $2,528,988 |
What are the terms of Arber Xhekaj’s Contract?
Arber Xhekaj signed a 2-year, $2,600,000 contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens, which includes $2,600,000 guaranteed. The average annual salary of the contract is $1,300,000. For the 2024-25 season, Xhekaj will earn a base salary of $1,300,000, with a cap hit of $1,300,000.
How much of Arber Xhekaj’s Contract is guaranteed?
Arber Xhekaj's entire contract of $2,600,000 is guaranteed.
Arber Xhekaj's Contract History
Arber Xhekaj's contract, signed in 2024, is a two-year deal worth $2,600,000 with the Montreal Canadiens. This contract is fully guaranteed, and Xhekaj will earn an average annual salary of $1,300,000. For the 2024-25 season, his base salary and cap hit are both $1,300,000.
Before this, Xhekaj signed a three-year, $2,485,000 contract with the Canadiens in 2021. This deal included a $21,000 signing bonus and guaranteed $2,485,000. His average annual salary under this contract was $828,333, as per Spotrac. This contract expired in 2024, making him eligible for a new contract extension.
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FAQs on Arber Xhekaj
A. Arber Xhekaj plays as a defenseman.
A. Arber Xhekaj currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens.
A. Arber Xhekaj's brother is Florian Xhekaj.
A. Arber Xhekaj was undrafted.
A. Arber Xhekaj started his playing career in 2022.
