According to multiple reports, the Montreal Canadiens have come to terms with Jakub Jerabek, a Czech defender from the KHL. Because his current deal doesn’t expire until April 30th, no official announcement can be made as of yet. No financial details have been released. Even though Jerabek will turn 26 in a few weeks he is still required to sign a one-year entry-level contract if he wishes to join the league for next season. Earlier this month, agent Allan Walsh announced that Jerabek had multiple NHL offers and though his decision took a bit longer than expected, he’s now headed to North America and the NHL.
The 25-year old is undersized, but possesses excellent puck-moving ability and is a strong skater. In his rookie season with Chekhov Vityaz he recorded 34 points in 59 games while skating over 21 minutes a night and was named to the KHL All-Star team. The left-handed defenseman had played parts of eight seasons in the Czech professional league prior to this year, debuting when he was just 17. This year he played on the same squad as Maple Leafs’ signee Miro Aaltonen and former NHL star Maxim Afinogenov, but was eliminated early from the playoffs by the eventual Gagarin Cup winners SKA St. Petersburg.
For Montreal, Jerabek offers another option for them that could possibly replace Andrei Markov as he heads into free agency. Though the long-time Canadien has said he wants to play again next year for the Habs, the team may want to go in a younger direction after being eliminated in the first round. Jerabek offers them that youth, though there is no guarantee that it comes with much effectiveness. While Nikita Zaitsev’s rookie season was successful in Toronto, there have been many before him that failed to make the transition smoothly.
Jerabek first will suit up for the Czech Republic in the upcoming World Championships that begin May 5th, where last year he recorded five points in eight games and was among the tournament leaders from the blueline. His resume boasts quite a bit of individual success at international tournaments, including captaining the Czech team at the 2011 World Juniors where he scored eight points in six games.
Aivis Kalnins was first to report the deal on Twitter, while R-Sport has also been made aware of his intention to sign.