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Crowded on D, Habs reportedly sign Czech defenseman Jakub Jerabek |
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The Montreal Canadiens backend is likely to get even more crowded as general manager Marc Bergevin has reportedly signed 5’11”, 190 lbs offensive defenseman Jakub Jerabek of the Czech Republic. The left handed almost 26 year old played this past season with Vityaz Podolsk in the KHL and recorded five goals and 29 assists for 34 points in 59 games, good for fifth overall in points by a defensemen in the KHL.
Not much may be known about Jerabek on this side of the pond but the Canadiens are certainly hoping that he will turn out as well for them as Nikita Zaitsev has for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jerabek certainly has potential and has proven himself to be successful at multiple levels of hockey. Bergevin can never seem to have enough character players and it looks like Jerabek fits that mold. He captained the Czech World Junior team in 2010-2011 and was 10th in scoring with a goal and seven assists. Perhaps though he was overshadowed by fellow defensemen Ryan Ellis and Dmitry Orlov who also enjoyed an outstanding tournament. Jerabek went on to play with HC Plzen in the Czech league where he wore an ‘A’ on his jersey before taking his game to the next level in the KHL this past year. He is expected to participate at the upcoming IIHF World Championships alongside future teammate Tomas Plekanec.
With the addition of Jerabek, the Canadiens blueline is crowded more than ever before. It is hard to imagine that all of the following defensemen will with the Canadiens organization come training camp.
Jakub Jerabek
Shea Weber
Andrei Markov
Jeff Petry
Alexei Emelin
Jordie Benn
Nathan Beaulieu
Brandon Davidson
Nikita Nesterov
Zach Redmond
Mikhail Sergachev
Brett Lernout
Noah Juulsen
Will the Canadiens lose a defenseman to Las Vegas at their expansion draft? While Markov is set to be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st, it would be hard to imagine that he will not be part of the Canadiens top six come October. Sergachev is going to make it as hard as possible on management to send him back to Windsor while Juulsen might just surprise out of training camp. According to NHL agent Allan Walsh, Jerabek had multiple offers in early April.
Considering the logjam at defense, Jerabek must be very confident that he will be able to earn a top six role in Montreal. Otherwise one would imagine that he would have gone elsewhere… In reality the addition of Jerabek makes it seem very likely that Beaulieu is no longer part of the organization’s future and that he will be dealt, be it to Las Vegas or elsewhere. Bergevin will do what he can do ensure that the former first round draft pick will not be lost for nothing.
Jerabek also provides insurance considering that it was revealed that Alexei Emelin underwent successful arthroscopic surgery after the Canadiens were eliminated by the New York Rangers from the playoffs. Considering Markov’s age, Emelin’s inconsistencies and Beaulieu’s career at a so-called crossroads, Bergevin needed to shore up the left side of defense even with Sergachev in the wings.
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It was announced that Clement Jodoin will be leaving the organization as he will not return to the Canadiens as an assistant coach next season. Jodoin returned for his second stint in Montreal along with Michel Therrien in 2012. He was never behind the bench and his responsibilities with the team were somewhat unclear. By now, Claude Julien has met with all of his assistants and within the next couple of weeks we should get a clearer idea as to who will or will not be back with the team. It is certainly time for some new blood and strategies and it is likely that Julien has some ideas as to who he might like to bring in. It is hard to imagine though that J.J. Daigneault and Dan Lacroix will be back...
Cheers and follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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