Montreal Canadiens: Jakub Jerabek Should Make the Team

The Montreal Canadiens should make room to ensure that KHL free agent Jakub Jerabek can get into the line-up next season.

When it was announced that Jakub Jerabek was planning on leaving the KHL, NHL teams started calling. Fortunately, Jerabek decided to choose the Montreal Canadiens as his route to NHL ice.

The signing at the time hinted at the end of Nathan Beaulieu‘s time with the Canadiens which has since been confirmed after his trade to Buffalo. Additionally, now that Andrei Markov won’t be returning, there’s an extra spot for Jerabek on the team. Or is there?

There was a lot of excitement for the new Habs’ defencemen after hearing he would be playing for the Czech Republic at the 2017 World Hockey Championships. Unfortunately, Jerabek didn’t have an impactful showing in the tournament. He put up only two points in eight games but finished +2.

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It looks like now there is some doubt as to whether he can play in the NHL. A lot believe that the Laval Rocket will be his home in October. There’s no doubt about it though, the NHL will be the best place for Jerabek next season.

Making the Team

David St. Louis from habsworld.net took a deep look into Jerabek’s play. For the 26-year-old to make this team, he will have to show a commitment to taking care of his own end. Unfortunately, that’s the main part of his game that will need the most work. He’ll probably have to spend time with Claude Julien and the defence staff.

Jerabek’s offensive game is what should give him a spot on the roster. He had five goals and 29 assists in 59 games with Vityaz Podolsk. According to St. Louis’ article, Vityaz made use of the 1-3-1 for its man advantage and Jerabek was at the head.

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His quick vision and elite passing would be a great asset to the Canadiens. A lot of the team’s goals on the power play were set up by Markov on the point. This is not to say that Jerabek would be guaranteed time on the man advantage. However, if he was ever given the opportunity he could do wonders with it.

The Montreal Canadiens would have eight defencemen on the team including Jerabek. Karl Alzner–Shea Weber and Jordie Benn–Jeff Petry seem to be a lock for the top four. The bottom pairing is where the Canadiens can get creative.

Montreal only has one year to see what they have in Jerabek and whether there can be a fit long-term. He should make the team and play on the bottom pairing to start. The Canadiens would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t take the opportunity to see what he can do.

There’s a very short supply of puck-movers on the Habs’ back-end. The transition will be difficult for him, but Jerabek should be up for the challenge. Obviously if he is in over his head management will take him out. If that’s the case then they can easily send him down to the Laval Rocket.

The NHL does a funny thing in showing us who does and doesn’t belong. The Montreal Canadiens definitely want Jerabek to belong and be part of the team. However, the only way they can be sure of that is if he’s on the team to start with.

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Do you think Jerabek will make the Montreal Canadiens? If so, how much of an impact will he have? Let us know your thoughts down below!