Habs’ Xhekaj fined for unsportsmanlike conduct

The NHL fined Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj the maximum amount, $3,385.42, for unsportsmanlike conduct against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare, the league’s department of player safety announced Sunday.

The fine, the most allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, followed Xhekaj’s actions in the first period of Toronto’s 2-1 preseason victory over host Montreal on Saturday.

He was assessed a minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for instigating, a major penalty for fighting and a game misconduct.

The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Xhekaj, 23, has eight goals, 15 assists and 182 penalty minutes in 95 career games with Montreal the past two seasons since signing as an undrafted free agent.

He recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and a team-high 81 penalty minutes in 44 games last season. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Xhekaj ranked second on the club in rating (plus-6) and fourth in hits (125).

In July, the restricted free agent signed a two-year, $2.6 million contract with the Canadiens.