Arber Xhekaj recently made a surprising decision by firing his longtime agent, Viktor Saljanin. Saljanin was practically part of the Xhekaj family, and Arber considered him a “brother.”
The reason for the split has now come to light. Xhekaj felt Saljanin was too “soft” in his contract negotiations with Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes.
Sources close to the player say Xhekaj felt mistreated by Hughes and believed that Saljanin wasn’t strong enough to protect his interests.
On the verge of becoming a restricted free agent, Xhekaj decided to switch to a new agency for his contract negotiations, the Bartlett Hockey Group.
Brian and Scott Bartlett, who represent several hockey stars like Cale Makar, JT Miller, and Clayton Keller, are now tasked with negotiating with Hughes. The Canadiens GM is rumored to be offering Xhekaj a very low salary.
The negotiations were expected to be difficult, and they have become even more challenging than anticipated. Xhekaj felt he needed a more experienced agent to represent him.
However, Viktor Saljanin invested a significant amount of time and personal money in Xhekaj’s career. He believed in Xhekaj when he was working at Costco. Saljanin was dedicated to helping him secure his first contract with the Canadiens.
Now, Xhekaj has left Saljanin behind, convinced that he was no longer the right person to protect him. He also seems to have a strained relationship with Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis.
Xhekaj further strained his relationship with the Canadiens by accepting a sponsorship deal with La Chambre restaurants for a relatively small $25,000 fee. The Canadiens organization, including St-Louis, Kent Hughes, and Jeff Gorton, did not attend the launch event for the “Xhekaj Burger.”
This incident increased tensions between Xhekaj and the team. The player blamed his agent for both the low sponsorship fee and the resulting negative perception within the organization.
Xhekaj currently finds himself in a weak position at the negotiating table. He lacks arbitration rights and is at the mercy of Kent Hughes’ decisions. Despite hoping for a $2 million-a-year salary, he is likely to receive a lower offer, perhaps around $1.5 million.
Arber Xhekaj is learning a hard lesson regarding the business side of hockey. His dreams of big contracts have collided with the reality of the tough negotiation landscape.
The changes in his representation and the ongoing contract challenges illustrate the difficulties players, even popular ones, can face.
Xhekaj, despite his “Sheriff” nickname, must navigate these troubled waters and prove his worth on the ice to earn the recognition he deserves. He must do so while dealing with the fallout of parting ways with his longtime agent.
In the cutthroat world of financial negotiations, Arber Xhekaj has learned a harsh lesson: hockey is a business first.
His former agent has learned this lesson as well, in an even harsher way.
Arber Xhekaj: A Hockey Star’s Tumultuous Contract Negotiations
The NHL world was taken aback when Arber Xhekaj, a rising star for the Montreal Canadiens, abruptly fired his longtime agent, Viktor Saljanin. This wasn’t just any agent; Saljanin was considered family, a close confidant who Xhekaj described as a “brother.” The reason for this shocking split? Xhekaj believed Saljanin was too “soft” in negotiations with Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes.
A Breakdown of the Contract Dispute
Sources close to Xhekaj revealed that the young defenseman felt Hughes was mistreating him and that Saljanin wasn’t adequately protecting his interests. With Xhekaj on the cusp of becoming a restricted free agent, he decided to switch agencies, enlisting the services of the Bartlett Hockey Group, known for representing NHL superstars like Cale Makar, JT Miller, and Clayton Keller.
The Bartlett brothers now face the daunting task of negotiating with Hughes, who, according to sources, is attempting to offer Xhekaj a significantly lower salary than he believes he deserves. These negotiations were already expected to be tough, but the situation intensified with Xhekaj’s dissatisfaction with Saljanin’s perceived lack of negotiating prowess.
The Impact of a Controversial Sponsorship
Adding to the tension between Xhekaj and the Canadiens is a recent sponsorship deal gone awry. Xhekaj signed a $25,000 deal with La Chambre restaurants for a burger named following him. This decision, however, did not sit well with the Canadiens’ organization, with neither Hughes, Martin St-Louis (head coach), nor Jeff Gorton (executive vice president) attending the launch event. Xhekaj, blaming Saljanin for brokering the deal, felt the sponsorship caused unnecessary friction with the team.
Navigating a Difficult Negotiation
With bruised shoulders from a recent injury and a demotion to the AHL, Xhekaj finds himself in a precarious position during contract negotiations. Without arbitration rights, he’s at the mercy of Hughes’ decisions. While he desires a salary of $2 million per year, he’s likely to settle for less, perhaps around $1.5 million.
This situation highlights the ruthless reality of professional hockey where personal relationships can quickly be overshadowed by financial considerations. Despite being a fan favorite known as the “Sheriff,” Xhekaj is facing a challenging reality: proving his worth on the ice while navigating a complex negotiation that might significantly impact his future.
The Hard Lessons of Hockey Business
Arber Xhekaj’s experience serves as a sobering reminder that hockey, like any other professional sport, is a business. While passion and talent are crucial, the financial aspect often dictates the course of a player’s career. In this cutthroat world, players must learn to adapt, negotiate strategically, and often make tough decisions, even if it means parting ways with those they consider family.
A Story of Betrayal and Lessons Learned
Xhekaj’s situation underscores the vulnerability of players within a system where their financial future is largely determined by decisions made by team management. Navigating this system, especially for a young player, requires a strong and experienced representation, especially when dealing with a demanding general manager like Kent Hughes. Xhekaj’s decision to part ways with Saljanin, a man who supported him through his early career, speaks volumes regarding the challenges and pressure faced even by those at the top of their game. Ultimately, Xhekaj’s story is one of a young player finding his footing in a business where loyalty can be fleeting and negotiating for a fair deal can be a grueling battle.