Canadiens trade rumors: Alex Galchenyuk drawing interest

According to Bob McKenzie, the Montreal Canadiens are listening to offers for restricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk. 

The Montreal Canadiens could have another offseason of change after a first round exit in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last June, they traded defenseman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber. This offseason, the Canadiens could be trading another talented player in Alex Galchenyuk. According to Bob McKenzie, Montreal’s definitely listening to offers for him.

While this is far from a confirmation he’ll be traded, the last time Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin promised he wouldn’t trade someone, Subban ended up in Nashville about a week later. So take McKenzie’s rumor seriously. Montreal needs to add a number one center, and though Galchenyuk has filled the role in the past, it’s obvious they don’t like him as a center. Since he’s their greatest trade chip, moving him for a number one center (who don’t get traded often) makes some sense.

Galchenyuk had an impressive season in 2016-17 despite missing 21 games due to injury. While his 17 goals and 44 points in 61 games doesn’t quite match up to his 30 goals and 56 points from 2015-16, his 0.72 points per game in 2016-17 is the highest of his career. So Galchenyuk was on pace to best his career high in points.

One reason Montreal doesn’t like him at center is his inability to win face-offs. Galchenyuk has never been known as a face-off wizard, but his 42.7 percent win percentage was the fourth lowest among all players with at least 500 face-offs. During the Canadiens end of the season press conference, Bergevin stated he thinks he’s better off as a wing. Head coach Claude Julien seemed to think otherwise, stating ideally, Galchenyuk is a center.

Next: NHL Mock Expansion Draft

The Canadiens have to decide what their young forward is, and if he’s better off on the team or as trade bait.