Montreal Canadiens: Free Agent Options Overseas
Another well put together 31 Thoughts has given Montreal Canadiens fans something to think about in free agents the team may be looking for in the offseason.
Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts, which is still weird to say, has been an NHL fans best source for news and whispers around the league. The Montreal Canadiens were mentioned a few times in it, which gives fans something juicy to talk about.
All of the Habs related content was good including the portion on possibly giving Al Montoya a few starts ahead of Carey Price. Not because one is better than the other, but as Friedman mentions, to give him more time to practice and work on his skills. Henrik Lundqvist went through something similar last season which had Antti Raanta hold the fort for a stretch of games.
What stood out was point number seven, which went as following:
It sounds like Montreal is going to make a push into European/KHL free agency, too. Not sure about specific names, but they are looking around.
Going overseas for talent has been increasing trend in the NHL as of late. It makes sense though. You’re theoretically acquiring an already established hockey player for free (free in that a team doesn’t have to give up any assets to bring them on).
The Montreal Canadiens have dipped into this pool as well. They signed Alexander Radulov in the summer of 2016 from CSKA Moscow (KHL) after a 65 point season. That proved to be a brilliant signing by Marc Bergevin as Radulov drove a lot of offence for the team finishing the year with 18 goals and 36 assists.
Jakub Jerabek is another product of overseas signings. The Habs signed him at the end of last season from Vityaz Podolsk (KHL). Jerabek wasn’t able to make the team, but he has found a niche for himself in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. There’s no doubt that he’ll find his way up with the Montreal Canadiens at some point this season.
Related Story: Acquiring Shipachyov
Who’s Out There?
Teams always have scouts overseas looking for new talent for their respective organizations. If the Montreal Canadiens are planning to sign a player from Europe, they have a handful of possible options.
Vladimir Tkachyov
Vladimir Tkachyov has had an incredible start to the season with Admiral Vladivostok. Keep in mind this isn’t the same Tkachyov who was linked to the NHL last season. That one is older and plays for Ak Bars but is signed until the end of the 2018-19 season. This Tkachyov is a great player and has managed to put up 8 goals and 13 assists in 21 games so far.
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Alexei Byvaltsev
Alexei Byvaltsev has already surpassed his point totals from last season in 30 fewer games. He finished with 14 points last year but already has 21. The 23-year-old may not have the best size for an NHL center, standing at five-foot-eleven, but he has the skill and the hockey sense to do it. Additionally, strength is something that can be ‘easily’ build up.
Alexei Byvaltsev has 2 points, Amur wins in Astana.#BARvsAMR – 1:3 pic.twitter.com/iyVoTiI48n
— KHL (@khl_eng) October 16, 2017
Kristian Näkyvä
The Montreal Canadiens have a couple of up-and-coming defenceman already, but Kristian Näkyvä could be a great addition to the pool. The 26-year-old puck mover with spectacular vision who has a goal and 10 assists in 15 games with Linkoping HC.
Ilya Kovalchuk
This is obviously the big free agency fish. Many believed that Ilya Kovalchuk would’ve returned to the NHL last season, and apparently Ray Shero made all the efforts to make that happen. Unfortunately, the 34-year-old decided to return to the KHL for one last season.
It’ll be easier making his return then since the Devils will no longer own his rights. Similarly to the Radulov situation, it’ll be a bidding war.
Kovalchuk doesn’t really need a scouting report. He’s a dynamic winger than score and make great plays in the offensive zone. You have to think whatever he makes in the NHL will start with a six and that may take the Montreal Canadiens out of the race depending on what they do with the rest of their cap space.
Do you think the Montreal Canadiens should reach back in the European tank? Who do you want them to pursue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.