Montreal Canadiens: More on the Michal Moravcik and David Sklenicka signings
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Further information has been put out by the Montreal Canadiens on Michal Moravcik and David Sklenicka who they signed to contracts this morning.
The Montreal Canadiens started off their day with bringing in two new defencemen. Patrik Bexell of Habs Eyes on the Prize got to it first that Michal Moravcik and David Sklenicka would be joining the organization. The two played in a Czech hockey league on HC Plzen as well as the national team at the World Hockey Championships.
Hours later, the team made the move official. Capfriendly reported the makeup of the deals for Moravcik and Sklenicka. Both are signed to two-year contracts that will end in them becoming restricted free agents in 2020-21. This sets Moravcik and Sklenicka aside from Jakub Jerabek who only received a one-year deal.
Additionally, they will receive the NHL maximum on entry-level contracts at $925,000 per year with signing bonuses. They are two-way deals though so for Moravcik and Sklenicka to receive that salary, they’d have to be up with the Montreal Canadiens. Otherwise, their salary will be $70,000.
What hasn’t been revealed is whether either contract as a European Assignment Clause. That was what ‘forced’ Jerabek out of the AHL and to the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens had until December 15th before the KHL free agent could choose to return to the KHL.
It didn’t have to get to that point as Jerabek joined the Habs nearly a week later.
Seeing as who the team has lined up for next year on defence, it would be unlikely that Marc Bergevin would include that on their deals. If they do, then that’s a problem to address later on.
Next: Should the Habs sign Matt Bradley?
At 23 and 21 respectively, Moravcik and Sklenicka have room to grown. They’ll also have to adjust to the North American style of play on the smaller ice. Odds are they start with the Laval Rocket, but anything could happen.