"Fair bridge contract" "Don't like the player" - NHL fans left divided as Arber Xhekaj signs two-year extension with Canadiens

NHL fans are torn about the contract extension the Montreal Canadiens gave Arber Xhekaj. The defenseman was a pending RFA and signed a two-year deal with Montreal.

Xhekaj became a fan favorite in Montreal due to his hard-hitting style and his willingness to fight. With Xhekaj being an RFA, he didn't have much leverage but the Habs gave the defenseman a two-year, $2.6 million deal.

Following the deal being made official, fans were torn on the extension with Xhekaj.

"Cap hit is good for the team, term is good for the player. Win win," a fan added.

"I would have given him more term- need someone to protect all the stars upcoming," a fan added.

The complaint from many Canadiens fans was that the deal was only for two years.

"Don’t like the player, but with where Montreal is at, it’s a fine deal and term for the price of protecting their rooks and letting them grow," a fan added.

"Fair bridge contract, hope they give him quality minutes," a fan wrote.

Fans continued to share their opinions on the deal, as some thought it was a great deal, while others thought it was an overpay.

"Holy overpay for a Costco employee," a fan wrote.

"Borderline NHL/AHL defender," a fan added.

Last season, Xhekaj skated in 44 games, recording three goals and seven assists for 10 points.

Montreal turned down trade offers for Arber Xhekaj

Arber Xhekaj signed with the Montreal Canadiens as an undrafted free agent and became a fan favorite.

However, Xhekaj has struggled to be a consistent player in the NHL. However, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes said that the defenseman is part of the future.

"Our plan is not to trade Arber Xhekaj. He’s not in the AHL because he’s no longer part of our plans," Hughes said. "Arber was injured last year, then again this year. Last year, we couldn’t afford to send him down to the AHL.

"This year, Struble showed us he was ready. It’s not that he’s overtaken Xhekaj in our hierarchy. He allowed us to send him to the AHL to work on some aspects of his game," Hughes added (via TheHockeyWriters).

Xhekaj has skated in 95 NHL games, recording eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points.