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Canadiens In Boston Playing For Pride, Drouin Done At C, Trade Galchenyuk?

January 17, 2018, 4:35 PM ET [542 Comments]
Brandon Smillie
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Canadiens V Bruins: Part Deux


The Habs look for redemption in Boston tonight as they square off with Patrice Bergeron and the Bruins at 7:30 pm EST at TD Garden arena.




Boston is looking to build on their incredible record the last ten games (7-0-3) and begin cementing themselves into a home playoff position in the weak Atlantic Division. They recently passed the Toronto Maple Leafs for 2nd in the Atlantic with their SO victory over the Canadiens and gladly taking their loser point for their OT loss against Tyler Seguin and the Stars (if you haven’t seen what Seguin did to them in OT, you should.). This has them 2 points up on Toronto with 4 games in hand.

Those hoping for Toronto to fall out of the playoffs to avoid a spring/summer of chirping better rip that bandaid off now because for them to get squeezed out would require one of Detroit, Florida, or Montreal to close an 11-12 point gap and then stay ahead of them. It’s just not going to happen. Toronto is already sitting pretty for a playoff spot, just like Boston, but luckily for us one of them will eliminate the other in the first round. #OptimismIsBack.

For the Canadiens, the game is more about pride in your club and fanbase because of the rivalry. Easily the most heated rivalry in the Atlantic and one of the tops in all of sports too. Look, I don’t like the Bruins in the slightest, but these games are ones we all pay attention too because it just brings out the cheers, boos, and brawls. It would just be nice to not have Chara wreck someones head every couple years with a stupid play…





DROUIN OUT AT CENTER

The Drouin experiment is over for the time being with him being placed back on the wing and J De La Rose getting a shot at top 6 C.

To be honest, I really like this move and I don’t say that as if I’m thinking this will work 100%, I’m thinking more along the lines that DLR has had potential from his junior days as a well rounded C, like P Danault is currently.




An opportunity is being given to Byron and DLR right now and we have all wanted to see the young players the Habs have the system get their shots without having to worry about big contracts, and the egos that possibly come with them, causing drama. Bryon hasn’t looked too out of place at C, aside from his first period at the position, and DLR should at least be counted on as being solid defensively. To see if Drouin can be creative and dangerous on the wing, like we know he will (although I suspect he’s playing hurt, he is laboring out there), and DLR can manage the defensive assignments and utilize his quality Hockey IQ to get into positions for Drouin to get him quality looks then we will find out if DLR has any finishing ability in him at this level.





LEADING SCORER GALCHENYUK HOPEFULLY NOT ON THE TRADE BLOCK

Your current leading scorer for the Habs is none other than the 23 year old whipping boy Alex Galchenyuk with 11 G and 15 A in 44 games. Not exactly elite numbers with a 0.59 PPG pace but he does have 7 G and 11 A in his last 21 games for a 0.85 PPG pace which is excellent for any NHL player and if this was his first 21 games he would be on pace for 70 points.

DON’T. TRADE. THIS. KID.

The Habs are starved for young, creative, impact F's so the solution most definitely isn't to trade one of your best.

At 23 years old he is only older than 22 years olds Drouin, DLR, and Lehkonen. Galchenyuk will be turning 24 next month, admittedly, but this is a player with another 8 years of high quality hockey left in him and if he actually had some talent at C to help with the offensive creativity 70 points could be attainable.

The NHL is less about acquiring 33 year old UFA’s who take the first year of their last good contract off for playoff runs and more about giving young kids a chance to utilize speed and creativity. We have seen it this year already in Hudon, Carr, Lehkonen, and Mete. These kids are given a shot to show what they got and I would suspect we will see Scherbak in the top 6 before this season is over too.

With the possibility of Evans and Poehling getting a shot next season, along with one of the top prospects in the draft, the Canadiens shouldn’t be entertaining the offers for their second best young F in Galchenyuk (I say second best because Drouin has supreme skills). Pacioretty, Plekanec, and Benn should not be on the team after the trade deadline or next season. Clearly only Pacioretty will bring the kings ransom, but that pay off could also push Montreal into a better place next year if the prospects they acquire are of the Blue Chip variety.

This team is better off over the next 5 years with Galchenyuk than without. Period.

So, enjoy the classic rivalry game tonight and despite my personal desire to see Montreal make their way into a great lotto position, I would love to see them beat the B’s at home. Give Danault something to smile about while he recovers at home and us a reason to cheer.

Go Habs Go!




OVERTIME

Congrats to Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir being names as Canada’s flag bearers for the upcoming Olympic Games.

I have watched their incredible skills on TV like most of us have, but had a chance to watch them perform in London, ON this year and they make what they do look easy. Tessa Virtue may be the best skating talent Canada has had since Elvis Stojko, and likely better. She is an absolutely astounding athelte, along with Moir, and I hope they can dominate at the games like they did last time.

Go Canada Go!


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