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Galchenyuk signs three-year deal with Habs


pilldoc

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http://www.tsn.ca/galchenyuk-signs-three-year-deal-with-habs-1.797427

 

MONTREAL — Alex Galchenyuk agreed to a three-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday and now the question is where he will play next season.

 

The 23-year-old forward who scored 30 goals in 2015-16 has been slated to be a top-line centre since he was drafted third overall in 2012, but two coaches, Michel Therrien and his successor Claude Julien, have questioned his ability to handle the defensive responsibilities that come with that position and moved him to left wing.

 

And there are still rumblings that the Canadiens may deal the Milwaukee-born player of Belarusian descent, who reportedly does not have a no-trade clause in his contract.

 

Galchenyuk was a restricted free agent who had been among 30 NHL players to file for arbitration, but he avoided that ordeal by inking a three-year US$14.7 million contract that averages $4.9 million per season against the salary cap.

 

The deal left Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin with $9.16 million in salary cap space with 22 players signed — plenty of room for another signing or deal before the season. It will eat up one year of Galchenyuk's eligibility for unrestricted free agency and he can become a UFA when it ends.

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Much was made by fans (myself included) about whether the Habs really know where Galchenyuk fits best in their system.

Is he a top six center? Is he a better winger? Does he not fit the Habs at all but perhaps could be traded for valuable assets (or a better suited player), and Galchenyuk can flourish in someone else's top six?

 

Well, have a look at this. Article that came out after his three year deal was signed:

https://www.nhl.com/news/alex-galchenyuk-fine-wherever-canadiens-decide-to-play-him/c-290315652?tid=281072352

 

Does anyone believe that?

Would Galchenyuk really NOT have a preference?

 

If true, and he is happy to just stay with Montreal, then the team could have a very nice top six of Galchenyuk, Plekanac, Pacioretty, Gallagher, Drouin....and.... Byron, Shaw, or Dault?

 

They'd still need a solid bottom six core that can chip in, but a happy Galchenyuk can certainly give the Canadiens a nice start with two nice scoring lines.

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