The Montreal Canadiens are progressing on a new contract with restricted free agent Arber Xhekaj, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports.
LeBrun adds that while no deal is done yet, the expectation is Xhekaj will be signed and on the ice for training camp this week.
Xhekaj, 25, recorded a goal, four points, and 116 penalty minutes in 65 games with the Canadiens last season while averaging 11:25 of ice time.
He added a goal and two points in 13 playoff games as the Canadiens were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Final.
The 6-foot-4, left-shot defenceman is coming off a two-year, $2.6 million contract that carried a cap hit of $1.3 million.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Canadiens in 2021, Xhekaj has 10 goals and 33 points in 230 career games.
