The Montreal Canadiens locked up their third overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in restricted free agent centre Alex Galchenyuk, agreeing to a two year bridge contract that will still keep him a restricted free agent once it expires. The contract is worth $2.8 million per season.
#Habs Galchenyuk's 2-year bridge deal carries a $2.8 million AAV per season, as reported by @Real_ESPNLeBrun.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 30, 2015
Galchenyuk, 21, was drafted as a center from his time in the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League but has spent most of his time in Montreal on the left wing. Galchenyuk put up career best totals in 20 goals, 26 assists and 46 points in 80 games in 2014-2015 NHL season but struggled like many Habs with only four points in 12 games in the playoffs. Galchenyuk has 104 points in 193 career NHL regular season games.
Going forward into the 2015-2016 NHL season, Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien will have to decide whether it’s time to put Alex Galchenyuk down the middle for the Canadiens or continue playing David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec and Lars Eller up the middle and play Galchenyuk behind Max Pacioretty for left wing depth. At 21 years old there is plenty of time for Galchenyuk to continue developing as a top six forward but Montreal Canadiens fans have been restless to see Galchenyuk develop down the middle. Contract or no contract, it will continue to be the most common discussion revolving around the 6’1″ American forward. Galchenyuk’s status as a centre was a major topic of discussion at general manager Marc Bergevin’s season ending press conference.
Main Photo Credit:
Main Photo Caption- Ottawa, ON: Alex Galchenyuk #27 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on against the Ottawa Senators in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 22, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images NHL Collection).
