Montreal Canadiens players have shared heartfelt tributes for Joe Veleno after the forward announced his departure from the organization. Veleno, who became an unrestricted free agent following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, took to Instagram to thank the team, the fans, and his teammates. The 26-year-old described his time playing for his hometown club at the Bell Centre as a childhood dream, a sentiment that prompted an emotional response from his former peers in the post’s comment section.
Veleno spent one season with the Canadiens, contributing five points across 61 games. Following his exit from Montreal, where he did not receive a qualifying offer, he signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the New York Rangers. He is expected to provide depth for the Blueshirts as a fourth-line forward.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens are still navigating contract negotiations with defenseman Arber Xhekaj. The 25-year-old remains an unsigned restricted free agent after his two-year, $2.6 million deal expired at the end of the 2025-26 season. Xhekaj, who joined the franchise as a free agent in 2021, has recorded 33 points—comprising 10 goals and 23 assists—over 230 career games.
Reports indicate that both the Canadiens and Xhekaj’s camp are actively working toward a new agreement, which influenced his decision to avoid filing for salary arbitration. His agent, Brian Bartlett, has expressed optimism regarding the negotiations, noting that neither party feels undue pressure as the start of training camp draws near.
In other hockey news, Janet Gretzky, wife of Wayne Gretzky, recently addressed public criticism regarding her husband’s loyalty to Canada and his support for Bobby Orr in the wake of the 4 Nations tournament drama. The ongoing discussions surrounding player contracts and league figures continue to draw significant attention as the NHL offseason progresses.
“Still rattled”: Habs players pour their hearts out as Joe Veleno bids farewell to Canadiens
According to reports, the Habs and Xhekaj’s camp remain engaged in talks aiming at securing a new deal.
