The Ottawa Senators have brought in another intriguing defensive prospect, inking Christian Jaros to a three-year entry-level contract. The financials of the deal are still unknown. Jaros has played the last three seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, where he recorded 13 points in 36 games this year.
Just 21, Jaros was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and has had two solid development years in the SHL. The 6’3″ 214-lbs defender has both the size and skating ability to compete at the next level. One of his biggest assets, open ice hitting, is something Ottawa Senators fans should be excited about as he can close a gap incredibly quickly and accelerates through the offensive player. His hits are already on highlight reels all over the internet, and many Canadian fans may remember him from the World Juniors when he caught Max Domi in the middle of the ice.
The Senators, who have a blue-chip defensive prospect in Thomas Chabot coming up next season, will have to decide whether to bring Jaros over to North America right away or allow him another development year in Sweden. The Slovakian defender might have an NHL future in the next few years, as his offensive game is also not to be overlooked. Armed with a big shot—that he sometimes has trouble getting off—he could develop into a solid all-around defender with the ability to compliment a more offensive player.