ARBER XHEKAJ NEWS

Recalled from AHL Xhekaj was brought up from AHL Laval on Monday.

Impact Xhekaj has one goal, two assists, 14 shots on net, 41 hits, 12 blocked shots and 47 PIM in 17 NHL outings this season. He could be back in the lineup Tuesday against Ottawa after Justin Barron was demoted to the minors Monday.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Arber Xhekaj recalled from Laval Rocket | Montréal Canadiens 22-year-old rejoins Habs after 17-game stint in the American Hockey League

JANUARY 22 • NHL.COM

Headed for minors Xhekaj (upper body) was activated off injured reserve and then sent down to AHL Laval on Monday.

Impact Xhekaj was sidelined for seven games due to his upper-body issue but will have to continue to wait before returning the the NHL lineup following his demotion. Prior to getting hurt, the Ontario native managed just three points in 17 outings and shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive upside even once cleared to play.

DECEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Added to IR The Canadiens retroactively placed Xhekaj (upper body) on injured reserve.

Impact The designation is retroactive to Xhekaj's last game Nov. 16 against Vegas, so he can be activated at any time. The blueliner did not travel with the team on its road trip, which is currently in California before finishing next Wednesday in Columbus. In a corresponding move, Montreal recalled Joel Armia from AHL Laval, and he will join the team for Saturday afternoon's tilt against the Kings.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Canadiens place defenceman Arber Xhekaj on injured-reserve list Forward Joel Armia called up from AHL's Laval Rocket and will join Habs in Los Angeles ahead of Saturday's game against Kings.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • MONTREALGAZETTE.COM

Won't travel with team Xhekaj (upper body) won't travel with his teammates Monday to California ahead of the Canadiens' three-game road trip, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.

Impact As a result, Xhekaj is likely to miss Montreal's next three games, starting with Wednesday's contest versus Anaheim. He has picked up one goal, two assists, 47 PIM, 12 blocked shots and 41 hits across 17 outings this season. Montreal brought up Jayden Struble from AHL Laval on Monday to serve as an extra defender for the road trip.

NOVEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Saturday Xhekaj (upper body) won't play Saturday against Boston, Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette reports.

Impact Xhekaj is listed as day-to-day after sustaining an upper-body injury in Thursday's 6-5 loss to Vegas. He has supplied one goal, two assists, 47 PIM, 12 blocked shots and 41 hits in 17 games this season. Xhekaj will be replaced in the lineup by Jordan Harris (upper body), who will return from a two-game absence.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Friday Xhekaj (upper body) is missing from practice Friday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Impact Xhekaj was injured in the second period Thursday against the Golden Knights and did not return. The defenseman has lots of fantasy value if your league uses PIM and hits as categories as he has 47 and 41 respectively in just 17 games. He is questionable at this time to play Saturday versus Boston.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't finish Thursday's game Xhekaj suffered an upper-body injury and won't return to Thursday's game versus the Golden Knights.

Impact Xhekaj appeared to injure his left shoulder after sustaining a hit. It's not his surgically repaired right shoulder, which was an injury that ended his 2022-23 campaign prematurely. The 22-year-old defenseman can be considered day-to-day until another update is available.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pots first of season Xhekaj scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 5-2 loss to Vancouver. The defenseman added one blocked shot and one hit to his line over 15:22 of ice time.

Impact Xhekaj danced through several Vancouver defenders to score his first goal of the season with just 49 seconds left. The blueliner is mostly known for the edge with which he plays and racks up fantasy-worthy hits and penalty minutes. He leads the Habs with 47 PIM and is second at 38 hits.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chips in with assist in win Xhekaj posted an assist in Monday's 3-1 road victory against the Sabres.

Impact The point was his first since also posting an apple in the wild 6-5 shootout loss Oct. 11 against the Maple Leafs. He also had a plus-1 rating, two shots on goal and a minor penalty Monday, giving him at least one infraction in four of five games this season. Xhekaj has 23 PIM through five outings, helping fantasy managers in formats rewarding bad behavior.

OCTOBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Canadiens Monday notebook: Alex Newhook's increased role, Arber Xhekaj responds to Ryan Reaves Also in this week's Canadiens notebook, the uncomfortable goalie situation and a system change that makes new penalty killers welcome.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

We've Got Our First Grudge Match Of The NHL Season Between Toronto's Ryan Reaves and Montreal's Arber Xhekaj Maple Leafs tough guy Ryan Reaves did not like how he felt he was jumped by Montreal's Arber Xhekaj in the teams' season opener.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 • OUTKICK.COM

Whistled early, often Xhekaj had an assist, three hits and 17 penalty minutes in Wednesday's 6-5 shootout loss to Toronto.

Impact Xhekaj is no stranger to the physical side of hockey and wasted little time mixing it up. All three penalties -- two minutes for instigating a fight, five minutes for fighting and a 10-minute misconduct -- were assessed in the first period for his brawl with noted tough guy Ryan Reaves. He later produced an assist in the third period, when his shot from the point was tipped in by Alex Newhook. Xhekaj had 159 hits and 101 PIM over 51 games in 2022-23.

OCTOBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Called up, in lineup Wednesday Xhekaj was recalled from AHL Laval on Wednesday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Xhekaj will be in the lineup Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs, per the NHL roster report. The 22-year-old defenseman figures to see bottom-six minutes this season as long as the Canadiens' blue line stays relatively healthy. Joel Armia was sent to Laval in a corresponding move.

OCTOBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected for Wednesday Xhekaj is expected to suit up for Montreal in Wednesday's season opener against Toronto, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

Impact Xhekaj was not on the ice during Tuesday's practice, because the Canadiens sent him down to AHL Laval in what amounts to a paper transaction. Montreal general manager Kent Hughes had to juggle to get under the salary cap, hence sending the defenseman to the Rocket. Xhekaj should be in the lineup Wednesday as both Christian Dvorak (knee) and Carey Price (knee) have been added to long-term injured reserve.

OCTOBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to minors Xhekaj was reassigned to AHL Laval on Monday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Xhekaj could be back with Montreal before Wednesday's season opener in Toronto. The 22-year-old defenseman scored five goals and 13 points in 55 NHL games during his rookie campaign last year.

OCTOBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Canadiens have to get better on the power play — obviously Much of Monday's practice was devoted to the power play, with Arber Xhekaj getting point position on second unit.

OCTOBER 9, 2023 • MONTREALGAZETTE.COM

Media op: Arber Xhekaj | NHL.com Arber Xhekaj on the veterans leading by example

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • NHL.COM

Available for training camp Xhekaj (shoulder) will be ready for the beginning of training camp, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Impact Xhekaj sat out the final 29 games of last season because of a shoulder injury. He racked up 101 PIM, 159 hits and 13 points in 51 appearances during his rookie campaign in 2022-23. Xhekaj will battle for a spot on Montreal's blue line during camp.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

HockeyBuzz.com - Karine Hains - In Hainsight: What to Expect from Arber Xhekaj NHL Hockey Trade Rumors

JULY 23, 2023 • HOCKEYBUZZ.COM

Stu Cowan: Canadiens' strong suits — Players score on fashion front Rookie defencemen Johnathan Kovacevic and Arber Xhekaj rank among the NHL's top trend-setters in haute couture.

MARCH 16, 2023 • MONTREALGAZETTE.COM

Canadiens' Xhekaj undergoing season-ending surgery Xhekaj sustained the injury during a game against the Oilers on Feb. 12.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Done for season Xhekaj (shoulder) will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder next week.

Impact Xhekaj has already been out for six games, and now his rookie year will come to a close. The 22-year-old defenseman ended with 13 points, 159 hits, 101 PIM, 75 shots on goal and 46 blocked shots in 51 contests. He is already on injured reserve, and it's unclear if his recovery from the surgery will impact him ahead of next season's training camp.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Canadiens place Arber Xhekaj on injured-reserve list Rookie defenceman will meet with a medical specialist in the coming days after appearing to injure his right shoulder during a fight.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • MONTREALGAZETTE.COM