Christian Jaros
Transfers to CSKA
Speaking of Merkley, the player the Devils traded him for is now transferring to one of the most popular teams in the KHL. Christian Jaros came to the Devils in a one-for-one deal for Merkley, with both players having little to no impact on their new franchises. Jaros is a massive defender, but his flaws were on display with the Devils, who were trying to play an upbeat style.
Jaros spent the entire 21-22 season with the Devils, but he only played 11 games. He had zero points, and he really just didn’t impact the team in any way. He was there. At least they tell us he was there.
He left the Devils and immediately signed in Russia. He started with Omsk Avangard before he was traded to CSKA. He then signed with Cherepovets Severstal, but he’s returning to CSKA Moscow this season.
Jaros helped CSKA win the Gagarin Cup Championship in 2023. He joined a team that’s now in a rebuild/revamp, so it makes sense to send him to a franchise trying to win. Jaros is still huge, and he can play well on the bigger KHL ice. He doesn't need to create this back-and-forth that we see in the NHL. In Russia, he can be a brick wall on the ice, which is his best asset.