Canadiens Announce One-Year Contract For Xhekaj, Four-Year Extension For Newhook

The Montreal Canadiens got a few key pieces of business done on Tuesday, signing Arber Xhekaj to a one-year contract while also extending Alex Newhook on a four-year deal.After a busy weekend, the Montreal Canadiens have finished up their final few pieces of business for the NHL off-season.Xhekaj was a restricted free agent prior to signing his contract, while Newhook is entering the final season of his contract that currently pays him $2.9 million per season and was set to become an RFA next summer.The Canadiens signed Xhekaj as an undrafted free agent back in October of 2021 and has played 230 NHL games since. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound defenseman has put up over 100 penalty minutes in three of his four seasons with the Habs.Newhook was a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche and was traded to Montreal during the 2023 off-season in exchange for the 31st and 37th picks in the draft that year along with prospect Gianni Fairbrother.In the 2025-26 season Newhook was on pace for a career-best offensive year, putting up 25 points in 42 games while also being sidelined with an ankle injury. The 25-year-old then had a breakout performance in the post-season, potting a team-leading seven goals and 10 points in the team's 19 playoff games.This news comes after a handful of major moves from GM Kent Hughes earlier this week, signing Chris Kreider to a one-year deal, extending forward Zachary Bolduc on a four-year deal, and locking up head coach Martin St. Louis on a multi-year extension.For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.