Jiri Sekac In Michel Therrien's Doghouse

When he signed with the Montreal Canadiens this summer, Jiri Sekac had no idea that things would not go as planned. Making the jump from the KHL, the coveted free agent decided to sign a two-year deal worth $1,350,000 annually with the Habs.

Fast forward one month into the 2014-15 season and the honeymoon is definitely over between the 22-year-old winger from Kladno and his new organization. In six games with the Canadiens this season, Sekac has recorded 1 goal and 0 assist to go with a -4 differential playing alongside two offensive blackholes named Lars Eller and Rene Bourque.

After playing the first six games of the season and scoring his first NHL goal in front of his father at Bell Centre against the Boston Bruins, Sekac was made a healthy scratch against the Detroit Red Wings on October 21st, 2014. What most fans thought was a learning experience that would only last one or two games, turned into a very awkward situation for the fans and journalists alike.

The Canadiens, who have only scored 14 goals in the last seven contests, have elected to play unproductive veterans such as Travis Moen, Rene Bourque, Brandon Prust and Manny Malhotra over youngsters like Michael Bournival and Jiri Sekac.

However, according to a source close to the team, the team management (namely Marc Bergevin) is not happy with the decisions head coach Michael Therrien is making regarding Jiri Sekac, among other things. The management is frustrated with Therrien that he won't give Sekac a chance to show his worth on the ice. The source even said the Therrien doesn't even speak to Sekac to tell him why he keeps making him a healthy scratch...

It appears that Bergevin and Therrien don't see eye to eye right now, but because of the Habs' good start (8-3-1), Bergevin doesn't have much leverage to tell Therrien what to do and we all know that the latter favours veterans over rookies as they are easy to scratch because they don't complain openly in the dressing room.

It looks like unless a trade or an injury happens, Sekac will have to ride the pine and keep eating popcorn in the press box along with Nathan Beaulieu or Jarred Tinordi depending on who wins the coin flip on game day.

Do you agree with the way Therrien is treating Sekac?

And oh, earlier this morning, AK Bars Kazan, the richest team in the KHL has acquired the rights to Jiri Sekac just in case things get worse between the young Czech and the Canadiens...

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No Foolin' Fred Poulin
Follow me on Twitter @FredPoulin98

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Exclusive Interview With Habs Prospect Nikita Scherbak

Habsaddicts.com reached out Nikita Scherbak after one of his summer workouts. “I’m now practicing in Calgary”, Scherbak told in Russian after the session. “I’m training with the Crash Conditioning program with their coaches. It’s the first time I’m working with them and all has been great thus far”. The 2014 Habs’ first round pick is definitely not sparing himself: “I’m working on everything. And I’m having sessions both on and off the ice,” he said.

The Moscow, Russia native had quite a busy off-season as he decided to get on shape as much as possible in sight of the next season. “This summer I didn’t have true vacations. I practiced the whole time. I simply spent a couple of weeks at home in Russia after the season, that’s all.”

Moving from Russia to Canada and getting drafted by the Habs, of course, has been quite a feature for the then-19-years-old forward. “It is a new step and a new challenge not only for me, but for my parents too.” Also in the past, Scherbak has been very vocal in how his father was important to him. And he confirmed it once again: “Of course my father is the most important trainer for me. It has always been and it will always be. I got to my successes thanks to the hours of practice I had with him.”

Just as one can imagine, Scherbak is very excited to be part of the Habs organization. Also, he is glad to have been picked up by a team with rich traditions in Russian players as the Canadiens are. “It’s much better when you have the chance to play with such great players, even more so if they are Russians. And what’s even better is that probably in Canada I’ll have more trust from the coaches.” Scherbak also added that he did not talk with Andrei Markov or Alexei Emelin yet.

The young man arrived in Canada pretty much without any English knowledge, but now is well adapted to living abroad. “I’m happy about everything here in Canada. Moscow is where I was born and it will always be my favorite city, but I love it in Canada and I’m very satisfied,” Scherbak added. “At the start it has been very hard. The very start. I didn’t know the language and all. Now I understand much more and I can also speak much better.” And he also wholeheartedly agreed to consider hockey as an universal language.

Even with all his potential, though, it’s not a given fact that Nikita will start the season with the Habs. “Let’s see what happens. I’ll work very hard because I really want and hope to start the season in Montreal, but we’ll see,” he said.

Crossing the ocean, Scherbak also had to do with the more physicality on ice that European players eventually encounter once they move. “I think that anyway fights are a part of the game. Hockey is a men’s game.” Scherbak said that he had fights before moving to North America, and also that he had one last year. “But I did not win. I fought against an enforcer,” he said.

Back home in Russia, many were surprised to see a player who scored only 14 points the year before explode with a 78-point regular season the next season. But Scherbak has no doubts regarding leagues’ classification: “I really think that the CHL is the best junior league in the world.”

Just as most players, Scherbak has a good time remembering his first goal for his new team, particularly so if the new team was some 4,700 miles away from home. “I was skating on the corner, then I gave the puck to my team mate on the face-off dot. He gave it back to me and I was all alone in front of the crease. I shot the puck and it went in on the far post side. Of course, after the game I collected the puck and brought it home.”

Scherbak has been picked up pretty high with the 26^th overall pick, but probably many teams decided not to draft him due to the infamous Russian Factor, who has become much more prominent since the creation of the KHL in 2008. But Scherbak wanted to make clear that he does not intend to move back home any time soon: “The KHL is a good league, but I kind of have enough of Russia for now.” That is, Habs fans can be sure that Nikita will not bolt back to the Mother Land, and he is very determined to make the team as soon as possible. He also said to appreciate a lot his nickname in Saskatoon, Scherbinator. “I love it,” he said with a big smile. So maybe Habs’ fans found a way to call him properly.

Follow Nikita Scherbak on Twitter @nikscherbak.

Special thanks to Alessandro Seren Rosso for doing this interview on behalf of HabsAddict.

@AlexSerenRosso 

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Montreal Canadiens Player Profile: Jiri Sekac

(Photo: HC Lev Praha)

When it was announced on July 1st, 2014 that the Montreal Canadiens had come to terms with unrestricted free agent Jiri Sekac, most people said: "Jiri who? Is he related to Joe Sakic?" Well, not exactly as his name is pronounced "Jirji Skaatch". 

The 22-year-old left-winger signed a two-year contract with the Habs that will pay him $925,000 annually should he play in the NHL next season. Sekac will earn $70,000 if he is demoted to the AHL. The Czech can also earn up to $425,000 in performance bonuses in each season.

So, who is Jiri Sekac? The Kladno native played for HC Lev Praha in the KHL in 2013-14, potting 11 goals and adding 17 assists for 28 points in 47 games to go along with a +12 rating and 18 penalty minutes. Never drafted by a NHL team, Sekac played only eight games with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL back in 2009-10 after being cut by his junior team. The 6' 2'', 190-lb winger performed rather well in the USHL before signing to play in the KHL for three seasons.

Before he decided to sign with the Canadiens, Sekac was coveted by at least a dozen teams despite the fact that most North American hockey fans didn't know him well, if at all.

The Montreal Canadiens has signed forward Jiri Sekac to a 2 yr contract. Unprecedented interest in him. Montreal fans will love him!
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) July 1, 2014

At the 2014 World Championships, Sekac recorded two points in ten games for Czech Republic, but came close to adding two more goals against Italy and Canada, respectively. An unorthodox-looking skater and not a very physical player despite his size, Sekac will have to improve his body strength this summer to be harder to knock of the puck next season. Hailing from the same hometown as Tomas Plekanec, Jaromir Jagr and Jakub Voracek, Sekac is blessed with great hands and an excellent hockey sense.

While he is not known for his defensive acumen, Sekac is a very adept two-way player who is responsible in his own zone, which will certainly please head coach Michel Therrien. The lanky winger has a good wrist shot and great passing abilities, which project him as a 20 goals and 20 assists player in a near future. Sekac is a fringe second line player right now, but he is talented enough to play on the team's third line next season.

This is one of the main reasons Marc Bergevin let Thomas Vanek and Brian Gionta go via free agency and did not sign any other forward to replace them, save for veteran Manny Malhotra who will be the team's fourth-line center. Since Cakes (Sekac backwards) is already familiar with Tomas Plekanec, I wouldn't be surprised if he begins the season on his line alongside someone like Rene Bourque or Michael Bournival, who can both play against offensive lines.

Potential Habs lines:
Pacioretty-Desharnais-Parenteau
Sekac-Plekanec-Bourque
Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher
Prust-Malhotra-Weise

Extras: Bournival and Moen

It will certainly be interesting to see if the young European can make an easy transition to the smaller ice next season and keep producing offensively among men.

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Mediation Fails, Habs Language Woes, More...

TGIF HabsAddicts !!!!


As expected by most, the advent of U.S. Mediators in the NHL Lockout negotiations proved to be an exercise in futility. The Deputy Commissioner of the NHL Bill Daly, and NHLPA head Donald Fehr both issued individual statements.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com bring us up to speed on the 3 month stalemate, and answers the question, "Where do they go from here?"

Habs and Hockey Notes:

- Rob Elbaz of The Hockey Writers discusses how language discrimination may be at the root of the Habs' failures in recent years.

- Our own Sean Lloyd tells his story of how he was born into being a Montreal Canadiens fan.

- Puck Daddy's Sean Leahy examines Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeny Malkin's success in Metallurg of the KHL and how little he misses the NHL.

- Just to annoy hockey fans a little bit more, the L.A. Times Helene Elliott reports about the death of longtime L.A. Kings P.A. Announcer David Courtney, and how the lockout cost him his chance to announce the team's first banner raising ceremony.

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Daly/Fehr Talk, Politics in Sports, Kane Leaves KHL And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Just days after league commissioner Gary Bettman suggested the two sides take a two week break from negotiations, it seems the two sides have resumed talking. While there were no negotiations Deputy commissioner Bill Daly spoke over the phone with special councel Steve Fehr.

The two were expected to speak more over the weekend about further steps in bargaining talks.

With every article I read on this topic I can't help but notice words like "optimistic", "progress" and "positive results". And each time I see these terms I can help but wonder, who is buying this?

When you have one side that seems to have made it's best offer by giving up a billion dollars worth of concessions and another that would prefer to take a break rather than continue to work towards common ground, how can you see an end in sight?

After going over that last paragraph I realize it looks like I'm taking the players side. I'm not. I don't back the players and I in no way back the owners. In fact, I'm not even on the fans side.

At this point how can I feel bad for fans? If it's been this long and you haven't found anything in life to keep you busy Saturday nights then perhaps the lockout isn't your biggest problem. Go to dinner, catch up with friends, spend time with your family...

I refuse to feel pity for anybody who follows this lockout too closely. Both sides are trying to win sympathy and too many fans are falling for it. Just sit back and let the billionairs argue with the millionairs and when they finally agree on what to do with your money then turn the game on. Or don't.

Personally, I will. I love the game. If they take another season to figure this whole mess out I will still return when hockey does. I just refuse to make my non hockey life about waiting for it's return and falling for every line I'm fed by either side.

And with that said I apologize for the bitterness. I don't mean to start your Saturday morning with negativity, I have just become fed up with how too many (not all) fans have fallen victim to false hope. I don't blame anybody for being opinionated, I just feel bad for anybody who thinks that what they think about this mess matters. It doesn't. Your money matters, the owners and players can whisper all the sweet nothings into your ears to win you over but the bottom line is they don't care. Whether or not we forgive and forget doesn't mean anything to them as long as they get paid. And they will.

Habs And Hockey News

- Avi Goldberg (@avigoldberg) featured writer over at Allhabs.com takes an interesting look on politics, sports and the lockout.

- It seems the KHL was too much for Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane.

- TSN reports that Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider may be getting tired of the lockout.

- Habs prospect Brendan Gallagher's two goals lead the Bulldogs to a 6-3 win over the Toronto Marlies last night.

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NHL and NHLPA Quiet, Mark Recchi, Andrei Markov, More

Happy Thursday Hab fans.

After a week of more promising, continuous dialogue between the NHL and NHLPA, TSN is now reporting that there is no communication nor plans to meet between the two sides.

For all the momentary moments of optimism, it increasingly looks like the 2012-13 season could be headed down the drain.

Somehow, though, I don't expect fans will be nearly as forgiving as in 2004-05 should that happen.

I know I won't be. What about you?

Habs and Hockey News

- Andrei Markov's return to the KHL will have to wait a bit longer as he is still recovering from a rib injury.

- The Hamilton Bulldogs lost their third straight game, dropping a 4-1 decision against the Rochester Americans.

- Corey Collard from Montreal Hockey Talk presents a fan's solution to the lockout.

- Mark Recchi offers some advice to the players.

- Wayne Simmonds and Chris Stewart sure have bounced around during the lockout. After signing for 30 days in the German second division, they then headed to the Czech League. But now, USA Today reports that both players are leaving their Czech team for family reasons.

- Speaking of the Czech Republic, Jason Chimera just signed a deal there. Another player who isn't holding his breath on a CBA I suppose.

- There are a few International events going on, including the Deutschland Cup which features a few former Habs on the Canadian and Slovak rosters.

(Photo Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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NHLPA To Respond to NHL Offer, Andrei Markov May Not Return, More

Good AM!

The NHLPA is expected to respond to the NHL's latest offer this afternoon.

Many have done their best to temper the general enthusiasm over the offer. Some players still feel much work needs to be done on the current offer while our Sean Lloyd wonders if this deal is nothing more than a PR move by the league.

Either way, we will find out more as the hours unfold.

Habs and Hockey News

- Andrei Markov claims he is not sure he will return to the NHL should the lockout end. What a slap in the face that would be given the fact he is healthy for the first time in two years.

- Ken Campbell and Stu Hackel each analyze the latest offer and discuss the importance of today's events.

- Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News discusses how to make the CWHL — the Canadian Women's Hockey League — grow.

- Kyle Woodlief of USA Today argues that the upcoming draft class will be one of the deepest in decades.

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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Allan Walsh, Coach K's "What If's", Yesterday's Unexpected CBA Meeting And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Yet another week has gone by without an end to the lockout and to make matters worse,the NHL regular season schedule has been cancelled up until October 24th.

With not much new being said on either side, it's interesting to see NHL player agent Allan Walsh cover the situation via twitter.

Walsh is quite possibly the most well known NHL player agent and has never shied away from sharing his thoughts through twitter.

Walsh stirred up some controversy in Montreal a few years back when he pointed out how much better Jaroslav Halak's numbers were than starting goaltender Carey Price. The comments made sense seeing as how Halak is one of Walsh's clients and, well, we all remember how each goalie did that year.

Yesterday Walsh tweeted " After spending most of the day on the phone, the one truth no one on the NHL side wants us to know- Bettman is losing control of his room". He went on to say that over the next few days he'll be sharing facts on which NHL owners don't support the lockout. According to Walsh Bettman is "feeling the heat from the owners" and is being told "we can't lose the season".

Whether you like him or hate him he's always an interesting follow on twitter (@walsha) and Toronto Star columnist Dave Feschuk wrote a piece on Walsh that is worth a read.

Habs And Hockey News

- Coach K put up an article of "What if's" over at Montrealhockeytalk.com

- Mark Ritter of The HockeyWriters wonders about the possibility of a lottery being used to determine the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

- Here is Kevin Allen of USA Today's piece on yesterday's unexpected meeting between Gary Bettman, Bill Daly and Donald and Steven Fehr

- Number 11 on the Habs Top 25 under 25 over at Habseyesontheprize.com is Russian prospect Alexander Avtsin

- ESPN3 will be streaming at least seven KHL games starting October 9th

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Andrei Markov in KHL, Bulldogs Make Cuts, NHL Waits For NHLPA Offer, More

Good AM Habs fans!

As has been widely reported, Andrei Markov has signed with Vityaz Chekhov of the KHL.

Naturally, this signing leads to us to the following question.

Given Markov's lengthy injury history and still uncertain health, how do you feel about him suiting up for a team other than the Montreal Canadiens?

RDS reports that Marc Bergevin is comfortable with his blueliner's choice.

What about you?

Habs and Hockey News

- The Hamilton Bulldogs have cut 14 players from their training camp including, rather surprisingly to me, Michel Ouellet, a veteran of over 190 NHL games.

- Other than Andrei Markov, quite a few players have packed their bags for Europe, including Andrew Ladd, Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Matt Duchesne and Jamie Benn.

-  The NHL is still waiting for a new proposal from the NHLPA. Infamous rumor reporter Eklund has suggested that this offer may present a progressive decrease in player revenues, eventually reaching the magic 50% number. Elsewhere, Adam Proteau of THN has a one-on-one chat with Donald Fehr.

- Apparently, the reported deal between ESPN and the KHL is not finalized. At least, not yet.

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images North America)

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Junior NHL Players, Hamilton Bulldogs, Olympics and More

Good AM!

So, the NFL settled its dispute with its referees at midnight last night after a few days of intense bargaining sessions.

In fact, mere days earlier one session lasted until 2 am.

Never mind ending this lockout — at least the NHL and NHLPA could stay up late.

Habs and Hockey News

- Forty-two players have reported to the Hamilton Bulldogs' training camp, including a few who saw significant NHL time last season, namely Michael Blunden, Aaron Palushaj, Louis Leblanc and Blake Geoffrion. Also worthy of note is the presence of Michel Ouellet, a winger with 190 games NHL experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks.

- Speaking of the Bulldogs, Brian La Rose points out some invitees to watch at training camp.

- Bob McKenzie looks at how the current lockout could be a silver-lining for Canada's World Junior squad. Speaking of Junior players, when the NHL lockout ends, teams will have a chance to bring up a pre-arranged number of CHL junior players. For Montreal, this includes the highly touted Alex Galchennyuk.

- ESPN's Scott Burnside looks at Brian Burke's appointment as Team USA manager for Sochi 2014.

- In player abroad news, Erik Karlsson has signed in Finland while Nail Yakupov is being prevented from suiting up in the KHL.

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Max Pacioretty in Switzerland, Mathieu Darche, Manon Rheaume, The Economist and More

Good AM hockey fans!

The strong shift of NHLers towards Europe continues. The latest player to make a move is the Montreal Canadiens' own Max Pacioretty, who has recently joined HC Ambri-Piotta according to The Fourth Period. RDS also confirms the news on their site.

Elsewhere, the Swedish Elite League was compelled to allow NHL players join its league by Anti-Trust authorities there.

As such, some players have begun making the move to the Scandinavian nation as well.

Habs and Hockey News

- Mathieu Darche, amongst others, was on Radio-Canada's Tout Le Monde en Parle on Sunday night.

- The Economist — yes, that Economist magazine — has an interesting piece on the lockout and the evolving landscape of sport ownership at large.

- Twenty years ago, Manon Rheaume became the first woman to suit up in the NHL.

- The NHL and NHLPA are slated to meet in order to discuss last season's revenue. Hmmm... how about we move the discussion to this season?

- If you are lacking you hockey fix, you can always check out this hat-trick by Rick Nash with HC Davos.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

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Alexei Emelin, Alex Galchenyuk, Travis Moen, Habs Prospects and More

Happy Friday Hab fans!

Fun times for me this morning, as I get to hop on CKCU's Red Zone program in about half an hour. 

As always, chatting with the gang RE: Hockey and Habs is something I quite looking forward too. 

Can't say I'm excited that the word "lockout" will be part of the discussion though. 

In any case, before I surf the airwaves, let's get to the daily news roundup. 

Habs and Hockey News

- Alexei Emelin signs with AK Bars Kazan in the KHL. I feel like the acronym 'KHL' is coming up a bit too much in these news roundups lately. 

- Alex Galchenyuk has been named captain of the OHL's Sarnia Sting. 

- On the prospect front, HabsWorld continues its countdown with Montreal's 31 to 35th best prospects. Elsewhere, TSN reveals their pre-draft rankings for 2013. 

- Hockey Inside/Out has a video chat with Travis Moen. 

- Tyler Seguin is bound for EHC Biel in Switzerland. 'Swtizerland' ... there is another word coming up a lot lately. 

- As for players not looking overseas, some are trying to organize a caravan-style circuit. 

- Adam Proteau looks at David Branch and the OHL's progressive stand on fighting. 

- In international news, Croatia has advanced to the next stage of Olympic qualifying for 2014. 'Croatia' — now that is a word that does not come up often!


(Photo Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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Blaming the Agents, NHL Pre-Season Cancelled, Geoff Molson and More

Unfortunate news to start our day, as it appears the NHL has formally cancelled its 60 pre-season games. No great shock there I suppose, but a disappointment nonetheless.

So far, blame for this fiasco has been split between the owners, the league and the players. However, I must say, the agents have not nearly gotten their fair share.

After all, at times it is hard to believe that agents are acting in the best interest of their clients and the game at large. Because, in reality, best interests of their clients are not only related to dollars and years.

How can you possibly recommend a player sign a ten, 12 or 15-year deal that essentially traps you with that team for the rest of your playing days. We have seen it time and again, those contracts are virtually untradeable.

And, really, would you be ready to commit 12 years to one employer without having even worked one year there?

Nor do I understand why you would advise your client to sign a preposterous offer sheet. The money is fantastic, of course, but you also financially cripple the matching team, hence minimizing your ability to win with said team.

Of course, as an agent, you've won simply by cashing in your hefty commission I suppose.

Habs and Hockey News

- Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson is hoping for a quick end to the lockout.

- According to Guy Lafleur, the players are exploiting the owners.

- The NHL has cancelled its September pre-season games. Meanwhile, Stu Hackel is keeping a daily notebook of lockout events.

- If the new CBA is less-than-favorable, Alex Ovechkin threatens to stay in the KHL. Perhaps this is not the exagerrated threat some make it to be, especially since he also feels strongly about playing in Sochi 2014. If Olympics aren't part of the CBA, he may stay in Russia.

- More players head to Europe, this time with Jason Spezza signing in Switzerland and others in Russia. Is it just me, or will the Swiss and Russian Leagues be really good this year?

- Pierre Lebrun discusses the OHL's rule targeting serial fighters.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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Montreal Canadiens in Europe, Hamilton Bulldogs Signings, Prospects and More

Good AM!

The trickle of players heading to Europe continues and an increasing number of Habs are heading East.

To review, thus far Raphael Diaz will join EV Zug, Yannick Weber is heading for Geneva-Servette and Tomas Plekanec is bound for Kladno. Also, former Hab Mark Streit is going to Bern.

Also of note is Alex Ovechkin signing with Dynamo Moscow and goalie Niklas Backstrom joining Belarus' Dynamo Minsk. 

The new Ukrainian KHL club HC Donbass is getting a boost as well, with Ukraine natives Alexei Ponikarovsky and Ruslan Fedotenko joining the club. 

Habs and Hockey News

- The Hockey News' continues its 30 teams in 30 days video previews, looking at the Montreal Canadiens.

- HabsWorld begins counting down the Habs' top prospects with numbers 39 to 36. 

- The Hamilton Bulldogs signed Stefan Chaput, Olivier Fortier and Daultan Leveille to one-year, two-way AHL/ECHL contracts. Most notably, Daultan Leveille was a first round pick of Atlanta in 2008, becoming to only Jr. B player to ever be selected in the opening round.

- Francis Bouillon and Mathieu Darche say they are ready to make the sacrifice of retirement in order to fight for a new CBA. 

- In hindsight, Mike Modano considers the 2004-05 lockout to have been a waste of time. By his estimates, he forfeited $7 million because of the lost season. 

- Brian Burke comments on the firing of Francois Allaire. 

- Ryan Kennedy of THN presents some hockey options for those of us in locked out NHL markets.

- The AEG group — owner of the Los Angeles Kings — is for sale. 

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

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NHL Players Abroad, Labor Talks, Hamilton Bulldogs and More

Slowly, it has begun.

NHL players are making their exodus towards Europe.

Joe Thornton and Rick Nash are returning to HC Davos in Switzerland. Both played — and won — there in 2004-05.

Meanwhile, Evegeni Malkin, Nail Yakupov, Ilya Kovalchuk and Nikolai Kulemin are KHL bound. Quite an influx of talent to the world's second best league.

As for Montreal Canadiens, Raphael Diaz will rejoin his former Swiss club EV Zug, Yannick Weber is heading for Geneva-Servette and Tomas Plekanec is Czech Republic bound.

TSN has a complete list here.

Personally, I think I would sign somewhere a bit off the hockey map and take the time to really experience a different culture.

Where would you sign during a lockout?

Habs and Hockey News

- The Habs have sent down 21 players to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. HabsWorld has a comprehensive look at the Bulldogs roster situation.

- As labor talks stall between the NHL and NHLPA, Ken Campbell argues that the league missed its chance to bury the players in 2005.

- USA Today considers the impact the lockout could have on the young NBC Sports Network.

- Qualifications for the 2014 Sochi Olympics have begun.


(Photo via Ssolbergj/Wikipedia)

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Andrei Kostitsyn to KHL?, NHL CBA Update, Habs Management and More

Happy Friday Habs fans!

This morning it appears that former Montreal Canadiens' forward Andrei Kostitsyn is heading to the KHL. At least according to reports out of Russia, he has signed a one-year deal with Traktor Chelyabinsk.

I realize AK46 is one streaky player, but he is someone who can regularly deliver 20 goals, 40 points and over a 100 hits.

While lesser players continuously get opportunities to live up to their potential, it is baffling that no NHL team saw fit to take a chance on him.

In situations like this, I can't help but think the bias against Russians is clearly in play. Then again, how progressive can a league run by rich, white men actually be?

Habs and Hockey News

- Hockey Inside/Out introduces us to the Habs' new management team.

- In CBA news — which, I suspect, you are all sick and tired of — both sides are pretty much blaming the other. Gary Bettman and the owners agree on a lockout. Donald Fehr says it can be avoided and it's the owner's fault.

- ESPN.com continues its strong CBA coverage. Scott Burnside profiles Donald Fehr's role as union chief and Katie Strang looks at how the players are forming a united front.

- Elsewhere, USA Today has an insightful history of the current labor stalemate.

- The looming lockout is already impacting employees of NHL teams. For example, Montreal is imposing a four-day work week. Not the worst fate in the world I suppose. You know, unless you needed that extra day of salary to, I don't know, pay the bills.

- Famed Swedish club Djugardens was relegated to the second division last season. The IIHF's Henrik Manninen previews the team's upcoming journey back to the top division.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

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KHL crash, McCrimmon, Ovechkin, Crosby, Canucks, Leafs, Desharnais and more...

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - Horrible day for hockey
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/horrible-day-for-hockey

Habsworld.net - Determining Desharnais' role
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2574

RDS - Le meilleur ami de Pacioretty au camp
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/325947.html

TSN - CANADIAN COACH MCCRIMMON AMONG 43 DEAD IN RUSSIAN PLANE CRASH
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375297

CULLEN: OVECHKIN THE PICK TO LEAD SCORING RACE IN 2011-2012
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375267

MCCRIMMON A TOUGH DEFENCEMAN WHO INFLUENCED MANY
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375337

CANUCKS SIGN LEGACE, BEGIN TO PROFESSIONAL TRYOUTS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375317

WINNIPEG'S NHL TEAM WILL BE JETTING AROUND THE ICE IN NAVY
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375245

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Possible Alexei Yemelin Signing Changes Montreal Canadiens' Defensive Squad

by Kamal Panesar

The word around the league this morning is that the Montreal Canadiens are on the verge of signing long awaited Russian defensive prospect, Alexei Yemelin to a one-year deal.

Originally drafted in the third round, 84th overall by the Montreal Canadiens, Yemelin has been hesitant to make the leap to North America. The Canadiens have been on the verge of signing Yemelin several times over the last seven years, only to have the rug pulled out from under them at the last minute.

As such, I'd hold judgment on the situation until something official comes out.

That being said, when TSN's Bob McKenzie said it is signed and sealed—as he did today—it sounds as good as gold.


Official word next week

It was Le Journal de Montreal's Marc de Foy who originally broke the story and he is indicating that the deal will be made official next week. Habs' GM Pierre Gauthier will be sitting down with Yemelin—and Andrei Markov—agent, Don Meehan, next week and it is believed that the announcement will come after that meeting.

All indications are that it is a one-year deal that stipulates Yemelin can return to Russian, rather than reporting to the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, if he doesn't make the Habs out of training camp.

This is a rare occurrence, to be sure, but the only way the Habs would get a shot at seeing him in a uniform.

Here are a few news pieces on Yemelin from today:

Journal de Montreal, Hockey Inside/Out, RDS, Cyberpresse.ca


Player Profile

For those who don't know or have forgotten, since it's been so long, Yemelin is exactly the type of defensemen the Habs need.

A big, strong, hard-hitting, tough-as-nails stay-at-home defenseman who has the ability to agitate the opposition while clearing them from the front of the net.

The concern is that, playing in the KHL for so many years where his aggressive style is punished more than rewarded; Yemelin has spent too much time in the penalty box overseas.

Keep in mind that he is not a dirty player, just one that plays with an edge.

As such, his robust style fits well in the NHL game but not some much overseas where the game is more skill-focused.

The best comparable for Yemelin would be a Darius Kasparaitis-type player.

Click here to read his Hockey's Future player profile.


So what's next?

If I was a betting man, I'd say that barring a major meltdown, Yemelin will make the Habs' squad out of camp. This is a player who can help the team and they would rather have him learn on the job in Montreal than be lost forever in Russia.

Montreal is more than likely going to come to terms on a new agreement with Andrei Markov over the next few weeks, meaning that he can play a mentoring role for his Russian compatriot next season.

If Yemelin makes the team, he will be an excellent addition to a blueline that will potentially count on Markov, Josh Gorges, Hal Gill, P.K. Subban, Yannick Weber and Jaroslav Spacek.

The deal sounds like a no-brainer to me, since this is the only way Yemelin will come to training camp. From there, it really comes down to how much he wants to play in North America versus Russia.

Only time will tell but for now, this is a good step in the right direction.

What's your take?

---
Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/

Follow Kamal on Facebook and Twitter

(Picture Courtesy of russianprospects.com)

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