Montreal Canadiens: The Unfortunate End of Alex Galchenyuk

2011-12 wasn’t the best of seasons for Montreal, to say the least, with a lack of offensive support stifling the Canadiens in spite of a solid season from Carey Price in goal. Aside from the tandem of Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais and one-year wonder Erik Cole, Montreal didn’t have much offensive support, and after a disastrous stint under interim coach Randy Cunneyworth and GM Pierre Gauthier, changes were needed.

After ending up with the third overall pick in what was largely seen as a weaker draft class comparable to past years, the Canadiens still ended up with Galchenyuk, an immensely promising scoring center/winger who could give the Habs consistency and offensive support up front..

After a rough start to his first season in the KHL, it looks likes it’s the end of the road for former Montreal Canadiens prospect Alex Galchenyuk.

In a disastrous top 4 that also included Ryan Murray, Griffin Reinhart, and “Fail for Nail” Yakupov himself (who we now learn was mostly a product of the Oilers horrendous coaching), Galchenyuk looked like the lone bright spot through his first few years in the NHL, and the Canadiens, in a noted change of pace, developed Galchenyuk patiently and appropriately, and he just seemed to get better and better each year. In a 2015-16 season that was mostly lost for the Habs, losing Price to injury early after a hot start and exhausting backup Mike Condon by season’s end, Galchenyuk was one of the few bright spots.

Along with Max Pacioretty getting his usual 30 goals and 60 points, Galchenyuk potted his first 30-goal season and was absolutely on fire by season’s end as Montreal relied on him more and more to carry the team offensively. With an ability to get off a shot from seemingly anywhere, possessing a laser release and pinpoint accuracy, Galchenyuk’s one-timers in 15-16 were a marvel to watch, and it had me and many other Canadiens fans thinking a 40-goal campaign was next.