Montreal Canadiens Alexei Emelin Makes Bid To Stay In Lineup
The Montreal Canadiens may have been looking to unload Alexei Emelin’s contract in the offseason. They are now getting excellent defensive play from the Russian, who is a steadying force for their teenaged defender.
The Montreal Canadiens had so many NHL ready defensemen in training camp, they started the season with eight on their roster. Most teams carry two extra forwards and one spare defender. However, Montreal elected to keep a pair of extra blue liners on their roster.
They even sent Mark Barberio to the American Hockey League. Barberio played very well for the Canadiens in 30 games last season, but found himself facing stiff competition in camp and couldn’t crack the top eight.
This creates a bit of a problem. A good problem, but a problem nonetheless.
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When you have eight defenders who can play at the NHL level, you are left deciding which two will sit in the press box each night. Zach Redmond has been on the sidelines for each game this season. He has been joined by Mikhail Sergachev once, and Greg Pateryn twice while Jeff Petry missed one game with injury.
Nathan Beaulieu has emerged as a top pairing defender for the Habs. Sergachev is playing well and wily veteran Andrei Markov make the left side very strong.
This left Alexei Emelin prone to possibly taking his turn rotating out of the lineup from time to time.
However, the Russian defenders play in the first four games of the season will ensure that doesn’t happen anytime soon.
Emelin’s Reduced Role Allows Him To Play In His Comfort Zone
Emelin has always brought a physical presence to the ice. That hasn’t changed this year. He already has a lengthy highlight reel of big hits just four games into the season.
Often placed in the top four with either Markov or Petry in the past, Emelin’s weaknesses were highlighted. Though he has a penchant for throwing a big hit, his puck moving skills leave something to be desired and he is not the greatest skater in the league.
However, Emelin is playing a third pairing role this season with Pateryn and Sergachev. Now, he is playing some of his best hockey since coming to Montreal in 2011. He is still averaging just under 20 minutes per game, but in a slightly lesser role he is playing against weaker competition.
This has allowed Emelin to stay in his comfort zone and has him in a role where he can obviously excel. He is acting as the defensive conscious on a pairing with the free wheeling Sergachev.
It is bad news for Pateryn, who is sitting on the sidelines, but the Russian duo look great together.
Emelin’s Contract Less Of A Worry If Strong Play Continues
The only problem is Emelin is still being paid like a top four defenseman. His contract has another year on it after this one expires, and comes with a cap hit of $4.1 million. It’s a bit pricy for a third pairing defender. However, if Emelin keeps playing the way he has thus far, fans won’t be worried about his pay cheques.
The Canadiens have a pair of questionable, big contracts coming off the books next summer. Markov and David Desharnais are in the last year’s of their deals. This will open up more than nine million in cap space for the Canadiens in the offseason. This should allow them the flexibility they need, and Emelin’s contract shouldn’t be an issue.
After going the entire 2015-16 season without a goal, Emelin has even found the back of the net already this year.
I wouldn’t expect his scoring “streak” to continue. However, if his smart defensive play continues, Emelin will provide the Canadiens with excellent depth on their blue line this season.