Arber Xhekaj had dreamed of a big contract, of incredible numbers that would make him a defender paid between two and three million dollars per year.
But reality, often cruel in professional hockey, had a completely different experience in store for him.
Xhekaj’s mistake was to think that his popularity would pay him. He agreed to a ridiculous restaurant sponsorship deal “Bedroom”where he was paid a mere $25,000.
25,000 balls (not meatballs) to become the figure of a burger, let’s say it’s “peanuts”. Above all, Xhekaj alienated Martin St-Louis and the CH organization.
St-Louis, like Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, really did not appreciate that Xhekaj was doing this marketing activity outside the CH. Not for nothing that none of the three men were present at the launch of the famous burger.
Imagine. St-Louis even went to say that no one in the locker room called Xhekaj “The Sheriff”. While even Cole Caufield publicly admitted that everyone called him that in the bedroom.
It shows you the unease that reigns between the defender and the organization. Arber finds himself with his back against the wall, in a situation where he has little control.
His time in Laval hurt his wallet. His two bruised shoulders hurt his value on the negotiating table. Especially since he does not have the right to arbutrage.
Yes, Xhekaj is in a weak position, at the mercy of the decisions of general manager Kent Hughes, who can do whatever he wants in order to sign him at a discount.
The negotiations promise to be an unequal fight. Arber knows it: he will never obtain the 2 million dollars per year to which he had aspired.
If only Hughes was a shark, he could step on Xhekaj in these negotiations, but as a former agent, he will be “fair.” But Xhekaj knows that “fair” will always fall short of his expectations.
He has resigned himself to accepting the reality: he will be lucky to earn 1.5 million per year. It was less than he deserves, less than he had hoped for, but it’s the most he’ll get.
In this ruthless world of financial negotiations, Arber Xhekaj learns a hard lesson: hockey is, above all, a business.
Xhekaj decided to get $25,000 to be the symbol of a restaurant that no one knew about. In the end, his burger made him pay “cash”.
Ouch.
