5 Game Tryout Not Enough
Short but sweet, why should the Canadiens keep Alex Galchenyuk beyond his five game tryout?
Answer: Because he is the best option available for their second line. Bar none.
With each passing day of this Canadiens shortened training camp, the one thing that is becoming clear is that Michel Therrien doesn't really have anyone else in mind when it comes to who will play with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta but for Alex Galchenyuk.
At first it seemed like the new coach was just testing the waters, but with each passing practice Galchenyuk has continued to impress upon Therrien that he isn't out of place. If anything, what most fans hoped for (not to mention, management) is coming true.
Montreal's first high end offensive draft pick in ages, he's showing he can make the club straight out of the draft.
Not only has the kid fit right in with the Habs, but you also have to consider just how much more he will benefit from dominating the OHL with the Sarnia Sting?
Undoubtedly, the Sting are hopeful that they will see the return of their star this season, something that may still happen yet, but at the same time, they'll be just as proud of Galchenyuk if he demonstrates that he can stick in the NHL.
Let's be clear here, the truth of the matter is that Galchenyuk is a better fit and option on the second line than Rene Bourque, Travis Moen or Colby Armstrong. Anyone who argues otherwise simply doesn't understand the measure of talent #94 possesses.
He is more talented and dynamic than all of the potential spot fillers Therrien could slide into the second line.
The thing is, as much as it seems he will stick with the club, there is also the fact that hinging the decision on whether he stays or not on how he fares through his very first 5 games of NHL action isn't all that fair.
And, more for that fact than anything else, the Canadiens have to be fair to themselves and their new rookie star in biting the bullet of burning the first year of his contract on a half season in the name of gaining experience, chemistry and, above all else, a sense of what Galchenyuk can actually do.
I'll leave it to you to come up with reasons as to why the Habs should send the rookie back to Sarnia. As far as I'm concerned, the concept of tanking for another great pick is simply something that new ownership, management and coaching will absolutely not allow. So get over that and start thinking about how having #94 on the Habs roster in Game 6 and beyond is the best possible thing for this franchise.
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