{"id":6294,"date":"2017-02-08T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2017-02-08T13:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=6294"},"modified":"2017-02-08T12:22:41","modified_gmt":"2017-02-08T17:22:41","slug":"trade-alex-galchenyuk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/02\/08\/trade-alex-galchenyuk\/","title":{"rendered":"Reasons to Trade Alex Galchenyuk"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Montreal Canadiens management and fan base are aware that the opportunity has arrived to be a serious contender for the Stanley Cup this year. \u00a0With Goaltender Carey Price<\/a><\/strong> holding on to his title as the best in the world, solid and rugged Shea Weber<\/a> providing leadership and steadiness in front of Price on Defence, and one of the leagues top scorers in Captain Max Pacioretty<\/a><\/strong>, a talented core is in place to make it a realistic dream for all the Habs faithful. \u00a0However, what was once unheard months ago, has lately circulated out of the mouths of a small and growing number of fans: trade\u00a0Alex Galchenyuk<\/a><\/strong>. Galchenyuk might be general manager Marc Bergevin<\/a>\u2019s best trading piece. \u00a0Could trading Galchenyuk strengthen the teams chances for winning the Cup? \u00a0There are a few reasons to make this argument.<\/p>\n

Coach Michel Therrien Doesn\u2019t Trust Galchenyuk\u2019s Defensive Game<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n

In the last few years Therrein has given Galchenyuk limited ice time, slotting him on the Wing, instead of the centre position he played with the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League. \u00a0Therrien justified this decision to help the young Galchenyuk develop into a better hockey player taking what he called a \u201cslow approach\u201d. \u00a0At the end of last season, and beginning of this year (44 points in 45 games) Galchenyuk played centre, flourished, averaged almost a point per game, and started to show his critics that he did possess the skill to become an elite player. He began this season with 23 points in his first 25 games, but succumbed to a knee injury taking him out of the following 18 games.<\/p>\n

Since his return, in between missing a few games due to re-injury, his performance has been sub-standard. \u00a0On Sunday, in an afternoon game against the Oilers, he was placed on the Wing again with David Desharnais<\/a><\/strong> as the centre, to the chagrin of the fans. \u00a0It appeared that Therrien had more faith in Desharnais (who recently returned from a 22 game injury), a player most likely not returning next season. \u00a0It almost appears that Galchenyuk will produce\u00a0points, or he will be a liability defensively. \u00a0 The latter produces\u00a0a decreased role and shortened ice time. \u00a0There have also been suggestions from TSN’s Darren Dreger that the Canadiens plan is to acquire a centre for the second line and move Galchenyuk back to left wing after the trade deadline. \u00a0Despite all this, Galchenyuk was back at centre, playing on the second line, for Tuesday night’s game in Colorado. \u00a0After another tough night, how long it lasts though is anyone’s guess.<\/p>\n

The Emergence of <\/b>Phillip Danault<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Danault seized the opportunity on becoming the first line Centre alongside Wingers – Alexander Radulov<\/a><\/strong> and Pacioretty. \u00a0In Galchenyuk\u2019s 18-game absence, the trio posted a modest combined 40 points together, and slowly developed into an effective unit. \u00a0As it is debatable on whether Danault should be on the first line or not, he is a responsible defensive player, and a creator of offensive chances due to his battles with the puck. These additional skills bode well for him under Therrien\u2019s system.<\/p>\n

A Great Centre is a Key Ingredient for a Stanley Cup<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n

It might be unfair to\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>compare Alex Galchenyuk with the centres who have been on Cup winning teams since the 2004-05 lockout. \u00a0Galchenyuk, almost 23 years of age, has the potential to become Montreal\u2019s unquestionable number one. \u00a0From the Stanley Cup winning centremen, Galchenyuk has better offensive numbers only to the Detroit Red Wing icon, the 23-year -old version of Pavel Datysuk<\/strong>. \u00a0No sane hockey fan would make this a debate on the better player, so the point is moot. \u00a0Jonathan Toews<\/a><\/strong> (Chicago), Sidney Crosby<\/a> <\/strong>(Pittsburgh), Anze Kopitar<\/a><\/strong> (Los Angeles), Eric Staal<\/a><\/strong> (Carolina), and Patrice Bergeron<\/a><\/strong> (Boston) performed better than Galchenyuk in their younger years. \u00a0If Galchenyuk is not in the same class as these players, is it realistic for the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup?<\/p>\n

Alex Galchenyuk is a Desirable Player for the Rebuilding Young Team<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n

At 23 years of age, five years of NHL service under his belt, with a salary cap hit of $2.8 million, Galchenyuk could take greater strides with a new team and a different Coach. \u00a0He will become a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season, and at his current production level (since his return from injury), it\u2019s unlikely that his next contract will be massive. \u00a0As Michael Bergevin calls the other GM\u2019s in the league, this could be one of his most desirable trading pieces. \u00a0The trade market, however, sounds very thin as league parity has put many teams under the illusion that they will make the playoffs. \u00a0Colorado\u2019s Matt Duchene<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s name continues to pop up from the rumour mill, and he would undoubtedly be a most welcome addition to Michel Therrien\u2019s squad. \u00a0Could he have a greater chance to emerge as a top player on the Canadiens and make a major contribution to a Stanley Cup winning team?<\/p>\n

Galchenyuk is Weak on the Faceoff<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Today, Alex Galchenyuk is 41.1% on faceoffs won, sitting at #322 for NHL forwards in this category. \u00a0In the previous season, he ranked #207 with 47.9%. \u00a0His best season was 49.1% in 2014-15.<\/p>\n

Galchenyuk wins just over four out of every ten face-offs he takes. \u00a0Interestingly, 47.1% are 5 on 5 in the offensive zone (compared to neutral and defensive zone draws), with plenty of power play faceoffs as well. \u00a0He gets no time on the penalty kill, and a plethora of time on the power play.<\/p>\n

Danault currently stands at 52.07% on faceoffs, while getting plenty of time on both the powerplay and the penalty kill. While Galchenyuk gets more power play time, Danault still wins more faceoffs.<\/p>\n

The Montreal Canadiens are strong on the power play, sitting fourth in the league. \u00a0Power play goals are especially crucial during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it\u2019s imperative that the number one centre wins more face-offs in the offensive zone to greatly enhance chances for scoring.<\/p>\n

There are many compelling reasons to trade Alex Galchenyuk and make a bigger push toward the Cup. \u00a0Mark Bergevin has a great goalie, excellent defence, scoring talent, and depth down the lineup. \u00a0The one missing ingredient from a real Stanley Cup conversation is that talented centre that scores, wins battles, plays defense, and comes up big during face offs and special teams. \u00a0Bergevin has less than a month to find that player. \u00a0If he does, don\u2019t be surprised if Galchenyuk goes the opposite way.<\/p>\n

“Main Photo”<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n