With the NHL Trade Deadline five days away, the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals took care of business. The Canadiens sent defenseman Jakub Jerabek to the Capitals for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Jerabek will be joining another new defenseman in Washington, as Michal Kempny was just acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks this week.
The Canadiens have traded defenseman Jakub Jerabek to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2019.
DETAILS -> https://t.co/KFXpH1xDUK #GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 21, 2018
Through a statement from his agent, Jerabek thanked the Canadiens for the opportunity to play in the NHL.
Jakub Jerabek: “I want to thank the Montreal Canadiens for everything. They offered me my 1st NHL contract and gave me an opportunity to play in the NHL. I wish them all the best. I’m excited to be joining Washington and look forward to getting started with my new team.”
— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) February 21, 2018
Jakub Jerabek Traded to the Washington Capitals
At twenty-six years old, Jerabek played twenty-five games for the Montreal Canadiens this season. He contributed with one goal, adding three assists and six penalty minutes.
Jerabek signed with the Canadiens in May 2017 after his debut season in the Kontinental Hockey League. In fifty-nine games with Podolsk Vityaz, Jerabek registered 34 points as a rookie. Prior to this, he spent 8 seasons in the Czech Republic hockey league developing with Plzen HC in his hometown. Jerabek has acquired some playoff hockey experience but none while playing North American hockey.
The Capitals gain a young defenseman not known to take penalties. He also offers playoff experience from both the KHL and the Czech hockey league. The extra depth provided will keep Washington prepared for late-season injuries. Meanwhile, Montreal may begin selling off other valuable players as the Canadiens begin to look more long-term.
Jakub Jerabek is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
Charlie Lindgren and Noah Juulsen Recalled
The trade of Jerabek was not the only move that the Canadiens made today, however. For Charlie Lindgren, he was recalled on an emergency basis. Goaltender Carey Price took a shot to the mask during Tuesday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Price did not partake in practice on Wednesday.
In eight game with the Canadiens, Lindgren has posted a 3-4-1 record with a 2.43 GAA and a .924 SV%. He also has one shutout on the year.
Jerabek’s departure paved the way for the call-up of Noah Juulsen. He has appeared in 31 games for the Laval Rockets of the American Hockey League. Juulsen has yet to play a game in the NHL, though. For Laval, he scored one goal while adding five assists. He missed the beginning of the season with a foot injury.
Ben Kerr’s look at Juulsen as a prospect is available here.
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