Czech Mates

Since the start of training camp, the Washington Capitals have been searching for just the right combination on defense to round out their blueline. With the recent additions of defensemen Michal Kempny and Jakub Jerabek, the Capitals appear to have found the solution.

Looking to shore up their defensive depth, the Capitals acquired Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks and Jerabek from the Montreal Canadiens in separate deals ahead of the NHL trade deadline. The additions have not only bolstered the team's depth at the position, but have also improved the unit's mobility and offensive impact.

"If you want to play defense like this and you want to be able to play quick and physical and take away time and space from skill players, which the Metro Division is scattered with, you have to be able to skate," assistant coach Todd Reirden said. "These guys both came to us with excellent skating pedigrees and now we're continuing to work on some other play away from the puck, their stick-on-puck detail and ability to defend at the net. I think that they've been able to adjust quicker than some others that we've dealt with in the past few years because of their, I'd say, above average skating quality and ability. It really works best for our system."
Although the Czech defenders and their talents seem like a natural fit on the Capitals' blue line, it has taken time and patience for both to adapt to their new city and team.
"For me there was [a] couple changes," Kempny said. "New teammates, new organization where everything was new, but I think now I feel pretty comfortable here and [it] feels like home."

Learning a new defensive system has proven to be the most significant on-ice change, as Kempny and Jerabek's former teams played differing styles than Barry Trotz's and Reirden's established scheme.
"The system was completely different," Kempny said. "I had a little bit of trouble with that, but I think every game I feel better on the ice."
Kempny, who was a frequent scratch in parts of two seasons with the Blackhawks, has now played in 12 consecutive games since being acquired by Washington Feb. 19, often being entrusted with top-four minutes. After averaging 15:19 of time on ice per game in 31 games this season prior to being dealt, Kempny is now logging over 17 minutes a night on a pairing with John Carlson.
The uptick in ice time has accelerated Kempny's ability to learn the intricacies of the Capitals' defensive system, and it as presented the 27-year-old with more opportunities to refine his game.

"They gave me a lot of ice time, so I'm playing, I don't know, 16 to 17 minutes per game and that's the thing which helped me," Kempny said. "I really appreciate [the coaching staff] for that. I just want to keep going with that and be better and better every day."
Although his time in Washington has been brief, Kempny has quickly established himself as a reliable defender, helping his new team win four of their past five games, including victories over two of the NHL's top-scoring teams in the Winnipeg Jets and New York Islanders.
"He's been doing a great job of playing against some of the other team's top players, and his ability to skate and compete and execute coming out of the D-zone has been a real good add to our team thus far," Reirden said.

Reirden sees similar promise in Jerabek, particularly in the 26-year-old's ability to contribute offensively. Jerabek recorded 34 points in 59 games in the KHL last season, but never found a permanent place in Montreal's lineup. Now, he has been given the chance to play and rediscover the offensive part of his game for a playoff-bound Capitals team.

In just his fifth game with the Capitals on March 15 against the Islanders, Jerabek earned the primary assist on Andre Burakovsky's game-winning goal, while also registering a high of 15:32 time on ice since joining Washington.
"He can add some offense and has shown that in his KHL experience," Reirden said. "I think it's good for him to be able to generate some offense and help our team win."

With Kempny and Jerabek complementing an already-talented defensive unit, the Capitals appear to have the deep, mobile and reliable defense they've been seeking. The new defensemen look forward to contributing.
"It's a very good team here," Jerabek said. "Amazing players and I'm very glad to be here."