they still have 3 months to fix their problems. Odds are they won't find a good center because....well none are available or they lack the right pieces to go for one.
- Symba007

They have 3 months to develop one.

He scored 30 goals playing as Pacioretty's center and was doing a good job this year until he got injured.
- apex123

don't think he was playing C that whole year and if his only success was during garbage time in a lost season, what does that say?

don't think he was playing C that whole year and if his only success was during garbage time in a lost season, what does that say?
- mr.peanut

That he has some pride as he didn't stop trying despite the season being meaningless? Beginning of this year certainly wasn't garbage time...

i agree but i doubt he can do it this summer. 1C are sought by at least 10 teams
- Symba007

so he cannot do it in the summer, and he cannot do it during the regular season because it's too complicated with the cap.... when the hell can he do it?!?

enough with excuses. just do it!!

don't think he was playing C that whole year and if his only success was during garbage time in a lost season, what does that say?
- mr.peanut

So what do we make of the first 30 games this past season?

I think he'll be better suited to play RW on 2nd unit with Drouin on the other side too, but let's not cast aside the 70 games he did have, even though it was divided between two seasons...

they still have 3 months to fix their problems. Odds are they won't find a good center because....well none are available or they lack the right pieces to go for one.
- Symba007

Bergevin has been here for how many years now? Yeah, he'll probably fix everything in the next 3 months.

That he has some pride? Beginning of this year certainly wasn't garbage time...
- apex123

a knee injury caused him to forget how to faceoff and play in his own end? Try him at centre, not saying completely give up just don't be surprised when a 6th year pro can't be converted to centre... a 1st line one at that.

So what do we make of the first 30 games this past season?

I think he'll be better suited to play RW on 2nd unit with Drouin on the other side too, but let's not cast aside the 70 games he did have, even though it was divided between two seasons...
- kev1586

he's not consistent? might need that maybe.

so he cannot do it in the summer, and he cannot do it during the regular season because it's too complicated with the cap.... when the hell can he do it?!?

enough with excuses. just do it!!
- fidopro

Fair point. But even if he were to acquire a Johansen, how long would it take for fans and media here to say that he's not a real 1C because all everyone wants in Montreal is a Crosby?

so he cannot do it in the summer, and he cannot do it during the regular season because it's too complicated with the cap.... when the hell can he do it?!?

enough with excuses. just do it!!
- fidopro

they refused to rebuild properly via the draft for a few years with early picks, they are left with hoping guys stays healthy and punch above their weight class. They know they need a 1C but there is nothing on the market. Just look at Duchene...the asking price is retarded and he isn't a 1C

they refused to rebuild properly via the draft for a few years with early picks, they are left with hoping guys stays healthy and punch above their weight class. They know they need a 1C but there is nothing on the market. Just look at Duchene...the asking price is retarded and he isn't a 1C
- Symba007

there was talk today that he might not even be playing at C this year with the Avs.

a knee injury caused him to forget how to faceoff and play in his own end? Try him at centre, not saying completely give up just don't be surprised when a 6th year pro can't be converted to centre... a 1st line one at that.
- mr.peanut

He was never great at those to begin with, but those things are much easier to learn than offensive instincts and shooting ability. The knee injury certainly hurt his speed, fitness and confidence when he came back this year.

a knee injury caused him to forget how to faceoff and play in his own end? Try him at centre, not saying completely give up just don't be surprised when a 6th year pro can't be converted to centre... a 1st line one at that.
- mr.peanut

He'll never be dominant in his own end. That, I will certainly agree with. Youthful lack of discipline is to blame for this season. He came back from injury out of shape and unfocused. He'd be on the ice for 20 seconds before looking completely winded.

He was never great at those to begin with, but those things are much easier to learn than offensive instincts and shooting ability. The knee injury certainly hurt his speed, fitness and confidence when he came back this year.
- apex123

part of that is a development issue on the team's end. still need a guy to take that initiative to work on those when he can. Been 5 years like I said. This might just be who he is.

Fair point. But even if he were to acquire a Johansen, how long would it take for fans and media here to say that he's not a real 1C because all everyone wants in Montreal is a Crosby?
- kev1586

Come on man.

PS: i want a McDavid.

there was talk today that he might not even be playing at C this year with the Avs.
- mr.peanut

he played wing most of the time the past few years. can you believe that! (frank)in coach ruining him.

He was never great at those to begin with, but those things are much easier to learn than offensive instincts and shooting ability. The knee injury certainly hurt his speed, fitness and confidence when he came back this year.
- apex123

You're expecting something out of Galchenyuk that he is not capable of, he is a winger that can play center once in a while without being great at it.

He doesn't have the IQ and vision to be a good 1C. His commitment to his career is also questionable

they refused to rebuild properly via the draft for a few years with early picks, they are left with hoping guys stays healthy and punch above their weight class. They know they need a 1C but there is nothing on the market. Just look at Duchene...the asking price is retarded and he isn't a 1C
- Symba007

when you pay the price, you always find what you need. even players who were not supposed to be available...
you seriously think you could not find a center with Patch or Price?? come on...

part of that is a development issue on the team's end. still need a guy to take that initiative to work on those when he can. Been 5 years like I said. This might just be who he is.
- mr.peanut

Fair enough.

You're expecting something out of Galchenyuk that he is not capable of, he is a winger that can play center once in a while without being great at it.

He doesn't have the IQ and vision to be a good 1C. His commitment to his career is also questionable
- Symba007

Commitment to career, yeah fair enough I've heard rumblings about that also.

You're expecting something out of Galchenyuk that he is not capable of, he is a winger that can play center once in a while without being great at it.
He's shown flashes of excellency at center in my opinion, feel free to disagree, the problem is much like Beaulieu he wasn't able to bring it on a consistent basis.
He doesn't have the IQ and vision to be a good 1C
He's one season removed from scoring 30 goals and wasn't too far of from being ppg if I remember correctly before his injury. Clearly he has no hockey IQ and vision. If you're referring to an intellectual IQ, no he doesn't have much of that.

when you pay the price, you always find what you need. even players who were not supposed to be available...
you seriously think you could not find a center with Patch or Price?? come on...
- fidopro

I agree about both but management is trying to build around them...even though Pacs is most likely gone in 2yrs, time to pull the trigger. they will keep price IMO

Commitment to career, yeah fair enough I've heard rumblings about that also.

You're expecting something out of Galchenyuk that he is not capable of, he is a winger that can play center once in a while without being great at it.
He's shown flashes of excellency at center in my opinion, feel free to disagree, the problem in my opinion is much like Beaulieu he wasn't able to bring it on a consistent basis.
He doesn't have the IQ and vision to be a good 1C
He's one season removed from scoring 30 goals and wasn't too far of from being ppg if I remember correctly before his injury. Clearly he has no hockey IQ and vision. If you're referring to an intellectual IQ no he doesn't have much of that.
- apex123

he's a good player but i don't see him controlling the play like a 1c does, he's a good winger that should benefit from playing with someone like Drouin who has a better vision.

Not sure I agree completely. When LA had won 2/3, everyone needed a strong G with elite D. When Chicago was winning, it was top end talent at every position. Now everyone is freaking out about speed and centers.

The truth is that LA had questionable scoring who overachieved to get them the cup, now that they can't score, they haven't done well. Chicago had suspect depth who overachieved to get them cups, now that those guys are all getting overpaid elsewhere, they aren't winning. Now Pittsburgh has had terrible yet overachieving D in getting them home. To get far, you need your weakness to over-achieve, whatever that weakness may be.
- kev1586

The last stanley cup was won in 1994-95 without #1 centre. Chicago had good centres when they won the cup. Toews, B.Richards and Sharp. Before that, Bolland was good 2nd line centre too.

I agree about both but management is trying to build around them...even though Pacs is most likely gone in 2yrs, time to pull the trigger. they will keep price IMO
- Symba007

Pacs+1rs+2nd for Tavares

Pacs+1rs+2nd for Tavares
- apex123

and he becomes ufa next summer

who will be the nyi 1C after that?