Although Jakub Jerabek didn’t play many games for the Montreal Canadiens, his trade triggered a lot of anger throughout the fanbase, and rightly so.
When it’s less than a week until the Trade Deadline, anything and everything triggers some kind of reaction. If you don’t believe me, see how people take the ever popular “*insert player name* is missing from practice tweet/post. The same thing happened ahead of Montreal Canadiens practice this morning.
Carey Price, Andrew Shaw, and Alex Galchenyuk were all missing. The first instinct is to frantically search for further information, and it was calming to learn that Price and Galchenyuk were given therapy days while A. Shaw was battling the flu. However, there was one more name missing from practice: Jakub Jerabek.
The only difference being that there was no explanation for his absence. Sure he was probably frustrated considering he’s been made a healthy scratch for the past eight games, but there was no talk or speculation to think that anything of significance was going on. And that was the fanbases’ mistake. Minutes later the news would come out that Jerabek was traded to the Washington Capitals for a fifth-round pick in 2019.
How did the Habs fanbase react to this? Take a look for yourself:
Jerabek traded to the Caps for a 5th rounder in 2019. Odd which one the club soured on. They don’t seem to value guys who move the puck.
— Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) February 21, 2018
Trade Jerabek but keep Morrow and Alzner....oh dear god, #Habs
— Michaela Brunton (@MickeyBrunton12) February 21, 2018
Marc Bergevin has a serious problem with puck-moving defensemen... He chose Schlemko, Benn and Morrow over Jerabek #Habs
— Connor Lapalme (@Connor_Lapalme) February 21, 2018
I am rather tired of the group of individuals making the decisions for the Montreal Canadiens. If they are trading actually worthy players for draft picks we better be seeing a fire-sale of every player that they can. Rebuild or bust. #Habs
— Ryan Hollett (@Crypticshock) February 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/JDP4FOREVER/status/966362809880768512
Of all the 5-8 d-men the #habs have, this wouldn’t have been my first choice to move. But not back-breaking. Stockpiling picks is good. #Habs https://t.co/ACn6kcpNgI
— Lori Bennett (@lori10habs) February 21, 2018
It's likely the #Habs will announce they've recalled Nikita Scherbak this week. More room now. https://t.co/qc9UDjcIFy
— William Proulx (@realproulx2) February 21, 2018
Wiliam brings up a good point here. At first many thought that moving Jerbak would open up a spot for A. Shaw to be activated off injured-reserve. That may indeed be the case, but if he still isn’t ready to go, the Habs may recall Nikita Scherbak in the meantime. The 22-year-old has proven that he’s an NHL player, so it’s only a matter of time before he’s back on the team.
And The Bergevin haters are gonna complain on this minor trade in 3,2,1. #habs #GoHabsGo https://t.co/51sFejLmoA
— Matthew Gerbasi🇮🇹 (@matt_habs13) February 21, 2018
I’d rather have Jerabek than a 5th RDer from a top team in the league. Jerabek is here now, on the roster. He wasn’t perfect, but thought he was progressing. Was better than Benn and Morrow, that’s for sure. #Habs
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 21, 2018
oh come on #habs https://t.co/lcRYhR2F9A
— gurshaan singh pabla (@gurshabba) February 21, 2018
Jerabek is going to be good for Washington... and Bergevin loses yet another promising young puck-moving defender. #Habs
— Josh Rubin (@jprterp) February 21, 2018
I get it the #habs get really good 5th round picks in the draft, but I don't get why they traded Jerabek he wasn't bad! Damn this teams management. I mean I guess getting a UFA for a 5th is okay. Now Morrow can play more ! -_-
— Nick (@NVious898) February 21, 2018
Disappointed to see Jerabek traded, and for such little return. But when you leave a decent player in the pressbox at the expense of lesser calibre players, their value dwindles. Best of luck to him, and hopefully Timmons will find a gem next year in the 5th round. #Habs
— Richard McAdam (@RealRGM81) February 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/CaptMaverick85/status/966364475010965504
#Habs turned a 7th dman (regardless of what we all think about the guys who are ahead of him) into a 5th round pick. Isn't this what all you tank-wishers want? To stock up on draft pick?
— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) February 21, 2018
I’m not an MB fan in the slightest but c’mon, he turned a FA signing, who has 25 NHL games played, into a potential asset in the future. Not to mention can sign the player as of July 1st if he wanted. I would of taken a 7th for Jerabek! #Habs #Breathe
— Anthony (@Naccarootz) February 21, 2018
It looks to be a polarizing deal in terms of fan perception. A fifth-round pick isn’t much depending on who you’re asking, but it is something.
Next: Paul Byron Proving the Doubters Wrong
How did you react to the trade? Let us know in the comments below.