Oilers add depth-defenseman Jakub Jerabek on 1-year deal

The Edmonton Oilers took the first step in softening the blow of losing blue-liner Andrej Sekera for potentially the entire season with the signing of Czech defenceman Jakub Jerabek to a one-year deal on Monday.

Jerabek suited up in Montreal and Washington last season — his first in the NHL.

The 27-year-old spent time with both the Canadiens and their AHL affiliate in Laval, playing in 25 games for the Habs and registering a goal and three helpers. Flipped to the eventual Cup champion Capitals at the trade deadline, Jerabek’s regular season production (1-3-4) mirrored that of his stint with Montreal in just 11 contests. He dressed for two playoff games and added an assist during the Caps’ march to their first championship.

In Montreal, Jerabek was actually among the Top 3 among Canadiens blue-liners in relative Corsi %, relative Corsi Per 60, and scoring chance differential (per Hockey Reference). Prior to his rookie season, he spent seven campaigns with Plzen HC of the Czech League before spending one season (2016-17) in the KHL, where he recorded 34 points in 56 games.

A left-handed defenceman who can move the puck like Jerabek is the Oilers’ best current option to offset the lost skillset of the injured Sekera — a good low-risk, potentially high-reward depth add for Edmonton.