Yemelin (in Mtl next year?)

[thatbirdguy]

According to MacKenzie:
http://twitter.com/#!/TSNBobMcKenzie

Here's the update on MTL and Russian dman Alex Yemelin: He wants to play in NHL next season and Canadiens want him.
When MTL GM Pierre Gauthier gets back from the Worlds next week, he's expected to finalize a contract with Yemelin's agent.
Unless something goes radically amiss in next week, Yemelin should be in MTL starting six on blueline next season. Regarded as NHL ready.

Anyone know much about him, or what to expect?

[ddp]

He was suppose to be awesome. I heard Bobby Mac on the radio this morning and he didn't know anything about him other that what he said above. He said he'd fit in as the 6th dman...I seem to think he'd fit in as the #4 behind Subban,Markov and Georges. Then Gill and Spacek likely.

[Shoeless]

Yemelin, a 6’1″, 220 lb. defenseman, has been playing for AK Bars Kazan of the KHL. This season he scored 11 goals, 27 assists in 52 games. He was fourth in penalty minutes in the league.

Drafted in 2004 by the Habs in the 3rd round.

[franklin]

Yemelin, a 6’1″, 220 lb. defenseman, has been playing for AK Bars Kazan of the KHL. This season he scored 11 goals, 27 assists in 52 games. He was fourth in penalty minutes in the league.

Drafted in 2004 by the Habs in the 3rd round.

In fact it's 11 goals, 15 assist for 26pts. When Mtl drafted him they compare him to Darius Kasparaitis. He play more a NHL than a KHL hockey style.

[Killer67]

He's been labelled more of a defensive spe******t and an in your face type D man. If he can stay out of the box, he can be a very effective player for the Habs and one they haven't had in awhile.

As for fantasy value, I'd leave him on the shelf, I don't see a lot of potential here.

[ericdaoust]

The thing to look out for is I don't know if he'll be willing to spend time in the AHL if he does not make it out of camp. In the past he's been stubborn about coming over and I would not rule out him bolting if he doesn't get his way.

Here is their depth chart currently:

Wisniewski/Markov (one should re-sign)
Subban
Gill
Gorges
Weber
Spacek

Plus Hamrlik is on record saying he will take a discount to stay on the team. So unless he beats out Weber I don't see him making any kind of immediate impact.

My question is this: Is he good defensively or is he an adventurer that just looks for big hits?

Edit: I'm debating acquiring him for Francois Bouchard in the sim league defined in my sig. Any thoughts?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Can anyone find more stats about him? I'm interested how many hits and blocked shots I could expect from him and whether or not he plays the PK.

[Shoeless]

In fact it's 11 goals, 15 assist for 26pts. When Mtl drafted him they compare him to Darius Kasparaitis. He play more a NHL than a KHL hockey style.

Thanks for the correction Franklin - my source certainly had shoddy record keeping.

[franklin]

Thanks for the correction Franklin - my source certainly had shoddy record keeping.

No problem Shoeless!

I don't have the stats details but for sure he hits a lot and always trying the big hit. Like I said in the past they compared him to Kasparaitis. I think he have been suspended for a hit at the 2011 IIHF.

2011 IIHF:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Sjw1RnXyA

Big hit on Jagr 2010 IIHF:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHwM0EhUzaY