Montreal Canadiens: What the Moravcik and Sklenicka signings hints at
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens have two new defencemen in Michal Moravcik and David Sklenicka for next season, but what do these signings hint at for the team?
Marc Bergevin extended the reach of his offseason masterplan for the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. Similarly to last year with Jakub Jerabek, the Habs dipped into the European market and acquired Michal Moravcik and David Sklenicka.
A breakdown by Patrik Bexell of Habs Eyes on the Prize has the former as an overpowering minute-eater while the latter as more of an agile performer with more room to grow. Both will most likely start the season with the Laval Rocket to get accustomed to the North American game. This is where Jöel Bouchard’s expertise comes into play.
If he can turn these two wild-cards into full-fledged options for the Montreal Canadiens down the line, then the summer of 2018 may go down as one of Bergevin’s best. However, the addition of Moravcik and Sklenicka hint at some things as far as player extensions go.
KHL Bound
There’s a good chance Tom Parisi re-ups with the organization after an improved season in Laval. Rinat Valiev, on the other hand, is most likely not an option. There were reports out that Valiev and his camp will be in talks with Bergevin for an extension in early June. But previously the 23-year-old was thought to be one of the players headed to the KHL.
With two new names set to make the Rocket’s lineup, the KHL may be Valiev’s destination next year. That could change in a few weeks, but it’s certainly pointing to that outcome. You also have to keep in mind that a spot on the Montreal Canadiens blue line is far from a guarantee for Valiev.
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Bergevin may need to make a move in that department as it is to make space. Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Victor Mete, and Mike Reilly are locks to make the team. Jordie Benn and David Schlemko are still hanging around, and there’s also Brett Lernout to consider as an option.
If the Habs are high on Moravcik and Sklenicka and what they can bring, Valiev could be expendable.
Return of the Turtleneck
One of the heartwarming things to come out of the signings was that they turned down offers from other teams to sign with the Montreal Canadiens. Whatever Bergevin told them in their talks, let’s give him a round of applause. However, you have to think if Tomas Plekanec had a hand in it as well.
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The 35-year-old was on that Czech Republic team along with Moravcik and Sklenicka. With Plekanec being so vocal on his desire to return in free agency, perhaps he shared the good news about playing for the Habs. European players always jump at the chance to bring up how important it was for them to have their countrymen as teammates at points in their career.
Perhaps knowing there was a chance of playing with one of the best Czech players in the NHL was the cherry on top of their decision. Again, this is all here-say.
We still don’t know whether Bergevin and the Habs are committed to bringing Plekanec back on July 1st. Either way, it’ll be another gold ribbon in his books if he was a part of Moravcik and Sklenicka signing in Montreal.
Commitment to the Plan
After the Trade Deadline that saw the Montreal Canadiens only move Plekanec, Jerabek, and Joseph Morrow, Bergevin said the team would be focusing on youth and speed. Since then, all the Habs have been doing is signing young players to entry-level deals as well as their won draft picks.
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There’s still a chance that the Habs make a big move as the days to the draft continue to countdown. Nevertheless, those words from Bergevin are starting to have some weight behind them. The next step is to grow and turn them into players who can don that sweater in the NHL.