On Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj addressed media questions after he signed a two-year contract with the team worth $2.6 million.

All questions and answers have been edited for clarity.

Q: What are your main goals in terms of being able to improve on for next season? You know, we saw a lot of your offense in your rookie season. Is that perhaps something you want to take to the next level next year?

Yeah, next year is a big year for me. I think we’ve got a lot of young guys. And like a couple of us are going on to our third year. So we kind of got to take that leadership role next year. And yeah, I think that’s something I want to work on next year. And also concrete in my defensive game and make sure night in, and night out, I’m a great defender for the team. And also staying healthy for the whole season. That’s a big one.

Q: What has your experience taught you about the type of player you could be in this league?

It’s definitely taught me a lot. I mean, there’s obviously a role for a guy like me. And on a lot of teams, there’s an important role for a guy like me. So I think once I can find that game and kind of concrete, I think I’ll be a good– a big piece to kind of what we’re building here in the future.

Q: You’ve had some rehabbing to do this summer. I’m wondering how it’s affected your training and what your prospects are to show up at camp healthy, and ready to go.

This summer’s been excellent for me. I haven’t taken any steps back. Recovery’s been great. And our kind of rehab team here has been doing amazing. And when I was in Montreal, they were doing an amazing job with me. And the surgery went well. So everyone’s really happy with it. And I’m pretty much almost ready to go right now. So I’ve been on the ice with guys. And battling in the corners, obviously, I haven’t started hitting because there’s no point yet. But I feel strong. I’m moving good weight in the gym. And I’ll be back for training camp with no worries.

Q: You have to play a physical style to be effective. But it’s now two shoulder surgeries for you. Are you concerned at all that this might eventually catch up to you?

I don’t think so. I mean, after I fixed my right shoulder, I didn’t look back at it. And it didn’t really affect my game at all. And I think just the way I played and obviously, maybe the way I worked out when I was younger and things like that, definitely took a wear and tear on my shoulders. And obviously, I needed to get them both done. But I don’t feel any different. And I don’t feel worried at all about changing my game. Or maybe I don’t feel worried about that. So I feel fully strong and mentally strong as well.

Q: You said that you want to be a great defender for your team night in, and night out. Can you be more specific about the aspects of your defensive game that you want to continue to improve next season?

It’s just like when you get that more ice time, when you’re playing more than 15, 16 minutes a night, when you’re up to 20 minutes, you’re locking it down every shift. The coaches can rely on you every time they put you on the ice. You’re going to do exactly what you’re told. And you’re going to do your job. So I think I’ve had games where I have been that. And then there’s been some games where you’re kind of not going to be able to play. And then there’s been some games where you’re kind of not all there. So I think to become that pro and that effective defenseman, you need to do it night in, night out. And I think that’s when you start taking the next step for your game.

Q: Where do you place the discipline in your priorities for next season?

I think we have a younger team. And I think there’s going to be at some points where I’m going to have to stick up for some guys to make sure everyone’s protected out there. And obviously, I got to do it smart. I got to know when’s the right time, when it’s the right game. And I think just coming with maturity, all that stuff pans out. And I think as you learn, you play the game, and you start to notice when you can do things and when you can. And obviously, the minor penalties have got to be cleaned up because I don’t like to take minor penalties.

Q: When you look back three years ago, you were without a contract, undrafted, showed up at camp, got the contract. How do you reflect on those years and what you’ve been through, what you’ve lived in the past three years leading to getting that second NHL contract?

It’s been like a flash of an eye. I don’t even know how to look back. To already be going into my third year. Off of my entry-level, it’s like, where did the time go? But things happen pretty fast. But I’m grateful for all the years I’ve played. And I’m just grateful for what I’ve experienced to come where I am today.

Q: Do you feel that you have the inside track with what you bring towards all that competition at the blue line?

Yeah, it’s definitely going to be fun. I mean, there’s going to be a lot of guys, a lot of great players we have in the system. So it’s going to be fun. I can compete for a spot every game… Everyone has a chance. And obviously, I feel really good about my game. So it’ll be fun to compete for that spot.

Q: Besides rehab, have you changed anything in your preparation? Whether it is the physical approach or the mental approach, have you changed anything for next season?

I think mentally, it’s one of those things where it’s like I’m not going to be coming into camp thinking scared or nervous to do something. It’s like you’ve been here. You’ve played for two years. You’ve got to be a leader for these young guys. You’ve got to show them. You’ve got to set the tone. Be a little bit more of a leader, especially on the back end where we have a lot of young guys… We have our vets with Matheson and Savard. But like all of us young guys, we’ve got to show them the way too. So I think that’s kind of the mindset I’ve got to go into camp.

Q: What are your thoughts about what management has done since the end of the season? And how close do you believe this team is to a playoff spot?

I think they’ve done a great job. And I think our goal right away to get into the season is that’s what we want. And we’re building something special here. And I think the way we finished the season where we were really close to pretty much every team, and I think we’ve got to get over that hump, and we can’t lose those games in overtime. We can’t lose those games in a shootout. So I think that’s our goal this year to figure that one out. And I mean, we’re a very close team inside the room, and we love to play for each other. We’re on the right path here, and we’re trying really hard to get to where we need to go. So I think we’re all excited. And from game one to game 82, our goal is nothing less than to make the playoffs.

Q: As good as a fighter as you are, you have shown in the past that you’re more than a fighter. How do you manage the realities of being a solid fighter and a solid contributing defenseman?

I personally take it as a good thing. I mean, I know what I can do on the ice. I know what I can do with a puck on my stick. So like, to have that half of your game and then the other half is that physical beast who can fight if he has to, who’s sticking up for his teammates. You’re not going to take on my teammates because I’m there. So I think to have both those things, it’s great.