The Washington Capitals have just acquired another bargain bin Czech defensemen. Earlier in the week, the Caps landed strong-skating Michal Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks. Wednesday, the team announced that they acquired puck-moving Jakub Jerabek from the Montreal Canadiens for a 2019 fifth-round pick.
The 26-year-old defenseman has recorded four points (1g, 3a) in only 25 games for the Habs this season. Jerabek has been a positive possession player (50.5 shot attempt percentage) for one of the worst teams in the East (-37 goal differential).
The left-shooting defenseman, who is an unrestricted free agent like Kempny before him, is signed to a $925,000 contract. The Habs had interest in re-signing him in the summer per Pierre LeBrun.
Habs trade Jerabek to the Caps for a 5th Rd pick in 2019. Mildly surprised. He's UFA July 1 and the Habs had showed interest in maybe keeping him around… https://t.co/LEp3svD9fq
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 21, 2018
Jerabek was held out of the Habs 3-2 loss to the Flyers last night.
Here's what Jakub Jerabek said yesterday when I asked about the upcoming trade deadline and whether he was worried about being dealt. pic.twitter.com/6iBdQb79C9
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) February 21, 2018
More analysis from analysts up north.
Jerabek moved the puck well and adapted fairly quickly to the style of play in North America.
His stats were pretty good considering he had weak partners and relatively tough assignments.
I'm a bit surprised they didn't want to keep him around, Habs lack PMD.— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 21, 2018
The one thing that stood out to me about Jakub Jerabek's game, above all else, is he's a smart player. Anticipates the play well, makes good decisions with the puck. He's got weaknesses – getting overpowered physically is one of them – but he's smart. I like smart players.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) February 21, 2018
I'll put a toonie on Jerabek being a solid edition to the #Caps blue line. Moves the puck well, thinks the game well, and he can play in all situations. https://t.co/klxuDxGNLq
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 21, 2018
Here’s the Capitals press release:
The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Jakub Jerabek from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fifth round draft pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Jerabek, 26, recorded four points (1g, 3a) in 25 games with the Canadiens this season, his first in the NHL. The 5’11”, 200-pound defenseman was signed by the Canadiens as a free agent on May 1, 2017.
Prior to joining the Canadiens, the Pilsen, Czech Republic, native recorded 99 points (16g, 83a) in 308 games with Plzen HC in the Czech League. Additionally, Jerabek recorded 34 points (5g, 29a) in 59 games with Podolsk Vityaz in the KHL.
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