BROSSARD, Que. — The Montreal Canadiens finalized some important moves on Tuesday.
Shortly after Arber Xhekaj agreed to a new contract, the team announced it had also signed restricted free agent defenseman Morgan Barron.
Both players secured two-year deals—Xhekaj’s contract is worth US$2.6 million, while Barron will earn $2.3 million.
Xhekaj, known for his physical play, appeared in 44 games for Montreal last season, tallying three goals and 10 points. The six-foot-four, 240-pound Hamilton native led the team with 81 penalty minutes and had the most hits among Canadiens defensemen, with 125.
In his NHL career, Xhekaj has accumulated eight goals, 23 points, and 182 penalty minutes over 95 games. The 23-year-old also played 17 games for the AHL’s Laval Rocket in the 2023-24 season, recording three goals and 11 points.
Barron played 48 games with the Canadiens last season, posting seven goals and 13 points. The right-shot defenseman added 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 32 AHL games.
Since making his professional debut in 2020-21, the 22-year-old Halifax native has recorded 12 goals and 30 points in 94 NHL games with Montreal and the Colorado Avalanche.
Barron was acquired by Montreal in the Artturi Lehkonen trade with Colorado in 2022 and was originally drafted by the Avalanche with the 25th overall pick in 2020.
Xhekaj joined the Canadiens as an undrafted free agent in October 2021.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 30, 2024.
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