Pierre LeBrun reveals major Arber Xhekaj contract update ahead of Canadiens training camp

The Montreal Canadiens are finally closing the gap on their last unsigned piece of business.

Arber Xhekaj, the physical blueliner known to fans as the Sheriff, is getting closer to a new contract with the club, and this one has been dragging on for weeks.

According to TSN, insider Pierre LeBrun says the two sides are not done yet, but the expectation is that Xhekaj will be signed and in the building when training camp opens.

That is a significant shift after a summer where his camp reportedly wanted closer to $2.5 million a season while Montreal was pushing for a number closer to $1.7 million.

This news does not exist in a vacuum.

General manager Kent Hughes has been on an absolute tear over the last several days.

He locked up Zachary Bolduc on a four year extension, brought in Chris Kreider to add some grit and scoring punch up front, and handed head coach Martin St Louis a multi year extension of his own just ahead of camp.

Getting Xhekaj signed would close out one of the last remaining items on Montreal's summer checklist and let everyone focus on hockey instead of contract math.

Xhekaj has had an up and down relationship with St Louis over the past couple seasons, dealing with healthy scratches and questions about his consistency.

Still, he led the team in hits and penalty minutes last year, and the Habs clearly value what he brings physically.

If this deal gets done at the expected range, it gives Montreal a full and settled roster heading into the regular season opener against Toronto.

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