The Montreal Canadiens’ negotiations for a new contract for restricted free-agent defenseman Arber Xhekaj are moving in a positive direction ahead of training camp. Multiple reports indicate the sides are making progress, with both Pierre LeBrun and Jeff Gorton offering encouraging updates.

The coverage focuses on the likelihood that Xhekaj will remain with Montreal rather than becoming a trade or no-signing headline before camp. While the outlets do not provide the same level of contract detail, their common theme is that the process is closer to resolution than it was earlier in the offseason. As training camp approaches, the expectation described across reports is that Xhekaj’s situation is trending toward a continued Canadiens tenure.

Overall, the different sources align on the direction of travel—progress on a deal and an expectation of staying with the team—while continuing to reflect that a final agreement is not yet confirmed within the provided reporting.