Montreal Canadiens Sign Michal Moravcik, David Sklenicka

The Montreal Canadiens have dipped into the European free agent market again, signing Michal Moravcik and David Sklenicka. Both contracts will carry a $925K cap hit in the NHL, though the Canadiens did not reveal any performance bonuses. Moravcik and Sklenicka most recently suited up for the Czech Republic at the IIHF World Championship, recording three and two points respectively.

Though they originally listed it as a three-year contract for Sklenicka, the team has since corrected the error. Both players have signed two-year entry-level contracts, the required term due to their ages. Sklenicka will turn 22 before September 15th, meaning he qualifies as that age when determining his entry-level deal.

Regardless, the Canadiens are adding more depth to a defensive group that struggled this season. Even with the emergence of Victor Mete as a potential top-4 option, the team failed to find much cohesion on the blue line without Shea Weber at his best. Moravcik and Sklenicka are both experienced at the professional and international level despite their relative youth, and could challenge for jobs right away. Like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ signings of Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen last season, they will at least be good depth to keep at the ready in Laval should the team face more injuries.

It’s in Laval that they could play a big role, as the team tries to find a way to pull themselves out of the basement of the AHL. After finishing in last place and losing their final 12 games of the season, the team fired the coaching staff and will have a fresh new look next season. It seems there will be turnover with nearly half the roster, including Moravcik and Sklenicka should they fail to crack the NHL. The former is a big-bodied defender who can do a little bit of everything while the latter is a smaller player who will need to rely on quick decisions and crisp passes. With 16 and 14 points respectively for Plzen HC last year, they led all defensemen on the team in scoring. Though neither projects to be a big point producer in the NHL, it’s early enough in their development that some more offensive talent could emerge.