Habs Interested in Centre Vadim Shipachyov

The Habs are continuing their search for talent and are reportedly interested in Russian free agent Centre Vadim Shipachyov.

After inking NCAA Free Agent Tom Parisi on Saturday, Habs GM Marc Bergevin is reportedly eyeing Russian Free Agent Vadim Shipachyov in his quest to insert more offensive talent to the NHL club.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Habs reported interest in his most recent 30 thoughts column.

"A couple other Europeans: Vadim Shipachev. Mentioned him earlier this season, a 28-year-old centre. Montreal was among the interested parties."

Obviously this is far from a concrete rumor and Elliotte Friedman merely mentioned that the Habs had interested and it is not known if that interest still remains. However, the interest in a talented offensive forward makes far too much sense for the Habs to have backed off completely.

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Vadim Shipachyov(or Shipachev) is a 29 year old playmaking centre who currently plays for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. Elite Prospects offers a small scouting report on Shipachyov.

"Shipachyov is a skilled center with excellent on-ice vision. He skates very well and with a fluid stride. Owns great offensive instincts and likes to have the puck on his stick. Could improve his all-around game. Isn’t overly efficient in physical battles.– Ulf Andersson, EP (2013)"

Shipachyov just completed another good offensive season in the KHL, scoring a career-high 60 points in 54 games and posting his 3rd season averaging over a point per game in his last 5 years. Last year, Shipachyov anchored a line with Chicago Blackhawks rookie sensation Artemi Panarin and spent a portion of this year with ex-NHL All Star Ilya Kovalchuk.

Does he fit the Habs Lineup?

As a skilled centre with strong offensive ability, the obvious answer is a resounding yes. The Habs desperately need scoring and Shipachyov would cost only money as free agent.

For an idea of what a contract may look like, Roman Cervenka‘s 1 year deal with Calgary in 2012 was worth a base salary of $975,000 but could have been worth as much as $3.775 million in bonuses and is probably the closest comparable. Ex-Detroit Red Wing Damien Brunner signed a similar contract in 2012 as well.

In reality though, the Habs have a lot of potential options up the middle, including but not limited to Alex Galchenyuk, Tomas Plekanec, Lars Eller, David Desharnais, Torrey Mitchell, Michael McCarron and Brian Flynn. The possibility does exist that Shipachyov would play wing on the 2nd line and to be perfectly honest, his playmaking style could definitely be an asset next to Max Pacioretty and Galchenyuk, who are both shoot-first players.

The possibility also exists that the Habs move a few players in an effort to shake up the roster and insert some new blood into the lineup. That would create a spot up the middle which could potentially be filled by Shipachyov.

Next: Montreal Signs NCAA Free Agent Tom Parisi

Another factor to consider is that of Michel Therrien and his preference of certain players. It is no secret that Therrien prefers his players to be grinding-type forwards who play sound defensive hockey, this has been a huge reason why Galchenyuk’s transition to centre has taken so long. Shipachyov is not known for his defense or his physicality, both of which are actually labelled as weaknesses according to multiple scouting reports I’ve read.

This leads me to believe that Shipachyov does not fit Therrien’s style which means he would become a wasted asset much like we saw with Alexander Semin earlier this year.

Although the thought of acquiring a highly skilled player is a tantalizing thought, unless their is an official coaching change, I can’t envision Shipachyov having a successful transition or be given the proper opportunity to succeed under Therrien’s watch.

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