Habs Report Cards - Alexei Emelin Grade C-
On the Montreal Canadiens roster, Alexei Emelin draws perhaps some of the biggest criticism. However, is that a reflection of his play on the ice or the contract from which he annually earns $4.1 million usd (with two years left) and until July 1st features a no movement clause? The answer is a combination of the two. Emelin’s play is far too inconsistent to be earning what he does, thus warranting the critics. When he is at his best Emelin is physical and engaged, playing a simple game without taking too many risks. At his worst Emelin is but a shell of himself, seemingly going through the motions and not involved in the play.
Through the first 10 games of the season, Emelin was playing some very strong hockey paired with Jeff Petry. When they are both healthy, Petry and Emelin can be a formidable second pair on defense that compliment each other. Unfortunately, Emelin suffered a lower body injury in November for which he missed two weeks and when he returned he did not look very good. He started to slide down the Canadiens depth chart as Nathan Beaulieu took his spot while injured and continued to outplay Emelin. Petry suffered his sports hernia injury in early December and tried to play through the pain but when back together with Emelin, it was obvious that Emelin was in no position to carry the two of them. December was particularly cruel for Emelin as he was -11 for the month and was not a + in a single game that month, nor did he register a point. After an especially rough night against the Washington Capitals on December 26th in which Emelin was a -3, he became a healthy scratch for the next two games on the road in Florida.
Only in March when the Canadiens defense corps were depleted did Emelin start to play better hockey on a consistent basis. With regulars Petry, Beaulieu and Tom Gilbert all out for the rest of the season with injuries, Emelin finally stepped up and played steady hockey while often paired with Ryan Johnston. Perhaps knowing that he was playing with a rookie made Emelin play a simple physical game, the kind he excels at. Emelin always seems to be able to raise his play when the Canadiens play the Boston Bruins. Even without his old nemesis Milan Lucic on their roster, Emelin still shined extolling hit after hit. Perhaps he needs to pretend that the Canadiens are facing the Bruins every game.
Emelin carried his strong finish with the Canadiens over to the World Championships as he laced his skates for Russia. There he was paired with Slava Voynov to form the top pair on defense for the Russians. His play in Russia earned him one of the final spots on their World Cup of Hockey roster this Fall.
Despite Emelin’s no-movement clause this past season, he was frequently mentioned in trade rumors. As of July 1st he will have a limited no trade clause as he will have to submit a list of ten teams that he would not accept a trade to. The problem with moving Emelin is that they would likely have to retain part of his salary in any trade. As well, the Canadiens would miss the physicality of Emelin from when he is at his best. Greg Pateryn is a physical defenseman but he does not strike any fear the way that Emelin can. Are the Canadiens a better or worse team with Emelin in the lineup and the answer depends on which version of him shows up that night…
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