Montreal Canadiens: Rinat Valiev has yet to make a final decision
By Omar L
It was reported that Montreal Canadiens defenceman Rinat Valiev would be going to the KHL, but according to his agent, a final decision hasn’t been made.
Rinat Valiev was one of the restricted free agents the Montreal Canadiens have on their payroll. The 23-year-old only say two games with the team before a lower-body injury forced him out of the lineup. After recovering, Valiev was sent back to the Laval Rocket as Brett Lernout was proving to be a better option at the time.
The common belief was that Valiev would be moving on from the Habs to play in the KHL next season. That was a little disappointing seeing as how he never really got a fair shake at an NHL gig in Montreal. However, with Lernout, Victor Mete, Mike Reilly, and Noah Juulsen in the fold, management may have seen Valiev as an expendable player.
According to a TSN article, Dan Milstein, the Russian defenceman’s agent, there still hasn’t been a final decision. Valiev has received a qualifying offer from Ak Bars Kazan, the KHL team who owns his rights, but it’s still up in the air as to whether he makes the move to play overseas or not.
Negotiations with Valiev’s camp and the Montreal Canadiens are set to being in early June, so that door hasn’t been closed yet.
After playing in the AHL with the greater part of three years, Valiev doesn’t have too much leverage in the negotiations. However, the Habs need to continue adding more and more young talent and see if a diamond comes out of the rough. Valiev has shown signs of being a stable defenceman, and an extended look with the team may prove if it’s sustainable in the NHL.
A one or two-year contract makes the most sense for him, but waivers may play a factor in everything. Valiev would have to clear to be sent down to the Laval Rocket, and he’s a player who may not go without drawing interest from other clubs. At the same time, it seems like he is done with playing in the AHL which could end up impacting his decision.
Next: Drafting Both Zadina and Kotkaniemi
All we know is that for now, the door is still open for more of Valiev with the Habs.