When it comes to relying on a player who can come through when needed the most who also has great puck possession, hockey smarts, and good energy on the ice, Alex Galchenyuk is the player you can always count on.
While the 21-year-old had some ups and downs during his first 3 seasons in the NHL, he did get to the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career last season which is a major improvement. He’s also a hard-working player on and off the ice, which is why GM Marc Bergevin signed him to a 2 year, $5.6M deal. Galchenyuk now has enough time to improve his play and possibly get a bigger, better deal in 2017.
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However, both sides agreeing to a deal wasn’t easy. When Galchenyuk fired his longtime agents Igor Larionov and Ian Pulver on June 22nd, and instead hired Pat Brisson of the Creative Artists Agency a day later, a large majority of fans were both shocked and confused as to why “AG27” would make such a bold decision. The same day Larionov and Pulver were kicked to the curb, both agents came out with a statement. Larionov was not only expressing his disappointment in Galchenyuk, but also revealing that Galchenyuk wasn’t happy with his ice time and the fact that coach Michel Therrien would bench him in some situations. In addition, there was also the issue of Galchenyuk’s position on the ice. While he was ready to play centre, he was still stuck on the left-wing.
Back in 2010 when Galchenyuk played for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, he started off as a centre, but coach of the Sting Jacques Beaulieu moved Galchenyuk to left-wing in order to keep one of his lines solid. The trio, which consisted of Galchenyuk, Charles Sarault, and Reid Boucher was a powerful line and Galchenyuk saw great success on the wing, grabbing 61 points in 33 games.
The Rat Trick
It does make sense as to why the Habs would start Galchenyuk on the wing during the 2012-13 season. He even saw success as a left-winger for the Canadiens, playing 48 games without missing a shift while collecting 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists). It just seemed natural to keep him where he was gathering the most points, and maybe it still makes sense to some, however, he’s still listed as a centre on the Canadiens website. Are the Habs missing something?
Galchenyuk was only used as a centre for a handful of games last season, playing alongside Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher. While a beautiful offensive production emerged from this line, the production ended quickly and he was back on the left-wing. This makes some fans wonder if Galchenyuk is being underused and should be given the chance to grow as a centre.
Bergevin made it clear back in May that “At the end of the day, [Galchenyuk] may never be a centre. Right now it doesn’t look like he ever will be. He might be, he could be, but I don’t want to just focus on him. Playing centre in the NHL is not that easy, when he was [playing junior] in Sarnia, they put him on the wing. So maybe they saw something that we saw.” However, let’s be honest here: a six foot one centre over David Desharnais, a five foot seven centre, makes a lot more sense.
“It’s simple. I need to prove myself on the ice and help the team as much as I can right now, then see what happens in two years.” – Alex Galchenyuk
In order for the Habs to succeed, especially in the offensive department, line shuffles need to happen to find out what works best for the Habs.
While Therrien seems dead set on Desharnais taking over centre, the reality is that DD just doesn’t make a great top centre player. He posted some great numbers during this year’s Eastern Conference finals and ended the regular season with a 52.9% in the face-off circle. His overall production makes him a very useful player for the Habs, but he doesn’t produce when it counts. Galchenyuk on the other hand does, so why not give the young gun another chance at being centre for a handful of games and then decide whether or not he’s not fit to be a top centre player in the NHL? With a new coaching consultant, there could be a chance that Chucky might be given the opportunity to show off his skill and that he can play just as well in the centre spot.
At the end of the day, Alex Galchenyuk is the cat’s pajamas and there’s no doubt that he will be one of the key roles in the Habs success during the 2015-16 regular season, but his time to prove that he can be just as productive at centre as he is on the left-wing is now.
What are your thoughts on Alex Galchenyuk’s position on ice? Do you think he should be given a chance to play as a centre? Let us know in the comments below!
Next: Montreal Canadiens Alex Galchenyuk at the Centre of Attention
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