4. The ‘New’ New Guys
Last year, the Habs went overseas to acquire talent after they signed Jakub Jerabek to a one-year deal out of the KHL. Jerabek started the season in the AHL to adjust to the North American style of play and was later called up ahead of the triggering of his European Assignment Clause.
Marc Bergevin did it again by prying Michal Moravcik and David Sklenicka from the Czech Republic this passing summer. Both were strong contributors to the country’s World Hockey Championship team which also had veteran Tomas Plekanec. They are both pretty unknown but were noticed because of their skating which again, a coach like Bouchard will try to use as much as possible.
Moravcik is older at 23 and the bigger of the two (6’4″ 212 pounds) and was described as being one of the better defencemen in the Czech league while playing for the Pilsen Indians. He also scored slightly more than Sklenicka (5’11” 181 pounds) putting up 16 points to the latter’s 14.
Similarly to Jerabek, there is a European Assignment Clause attached to their deals. The date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we can for now that it will be somewhere between November and December. If it’s the same as Jerabek’s, then Moravick and Sklenicka can choose to return to Europe and play for the Pelicans.
That was a major issue for Jerabek as he was signed to a one-year deal, but Moravick and Sklenicka received two-year contracts. The Montreal Canadiens could afford to have them leave for the year to only see them come back with more to bring ahead of camp. But that’s months away. There’s also the chance both prove they have a lot to give and recognize that staying in Laval could be the better option for their development.
Eyes should be on them as well.