Restricted free agent defenceman Nikita Nesterov will not be qualified by the Montreal Canadiens for the upcoming season, according to a report from Elliotte Friedman.
BTW, hearing MON will not qualify Nikita Nesterov — so he will be a UFA, too
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 16, 2017
The Canadiens would have until June 26 to submit a qualifying offer to retain his rights, but it does not appear such an offer will be coming.
Nesterov was obtained by the Canadiens mid-season from the Tampa Bay Lightning in return of Jonathan Racine and a draft pick. Nesterov was viewed as an interesting upgrade for the third pairing as a puck-moving defenceman, but struggled at times with defending. The move forced the Canadiens to put Marc Barberio on waivers, where he was promptly snagged by the first team in line Colorado Avalanche.
Nesterov played 13 games for the Canadiens during the regular season, scoring a goal and adding four assists. He also played two games during the Canadiens short playoff run.
The writing was probably on the wall for Nesterov when the Canadiens signed KHL free agent Jakub Jerabek, another left-handed defenceman, last month. The likelihood that Mikhail Sergachev would start the season in Montreal as well left Nesterov with very small odds of staying on the team and prompted his search for a more stable role somewhere else for next season.
Nesterov was drafted by the Lightning in the fifth round of the 2011 Entry Draft. He completed his entry level contract in 2016, and signed for an additional season during which he was traded to Montreal.
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