nope, and both Bergevin and Julien were clear about not seeing Galchenyuk playing center this upcoming season. If he doesn't, they can't leave things as they are right now.

Love Danault, but he's isn't a 1st line center. Second line center? I don't know. He's a band-aid solution at the moment. Those are getting tiresome.

Either they back up on their statements (again) and Galchenyuk plays center, or something big and/or stupid is coming.
- stinger67

I think they were just spewing this BS to try and light a fire under Chucky to shape-up over the summer and commit to a 200 foot game. Same thing with saying that they'd like to try Drouin at C, basically telling Chucky that there's going to be competition for that #1C position (Drouin).

Regardless, the whole thing drives me nuts... goal scoring is an issue. Galchenyuk was scoring at just under a ppg while he was #1C (before injury). Sure, he's not the best defensively, but wtf is the point of having all of these "defensive defencemen" and the best goalie in the world if we don't have an elite offensive scorer at the top of the line-up?

You know nothing Stinger

Everyone seems so chipper today.

Must be that mid-August air..

I think they were just spewing this BS to try and light a fire under Chucky to shape-up over the summer and commit to a 200 foot game. Same thing with saying that they'd like to try Drouin at C, basically telling Chucky that there's going to be competition for that #1C position (Drouin).

Regardless, the whole thing drives me nuts... goal scoring is an issue. Galchenyuk was scoring at just under a ppg while he was #1C (before injury). Sure, he's not the best defensively, but wtf is the point of having all of these "defensive defencemen" and the best goalie in the world if we don't have an elite offensive scorer at the top of the line-up?


- GstrangWondah

that lasted 1 month.
sure if he can maintain that pace (1ppg) for 82 games, CJ will look the other way when they don't have the puck. but Galchenyuk hasn't prove he can do it on a regular basis. not yet. and he'll start his 6th season.....

that lasted 1 month.
sure if he can maintain that pace (1ppg) for 82 games, CJ will look the other way when they don't have the puck. but Galchenyuk hasn't prove he can do it on a regular basis. not yet. and he'll start his 6th season.....
- fidopro

Well, he did spend most of those 6 seasons "sheltered" on the wing...

Best strategy to develop a #1 center: play him on the wing for 4 years and then complain he can't play center.

that lasted 1 month.
sure if he can maintain that pace (1ppg) for 82 games, CJ will look the other way when they don't have the puck. but Galchenyuk hasn't prove he can do it on a regular basis. not yet. and he'll start his 6th season.....
- fidopro

Whenever Galchenyuk is played at center on the top line, he's consistently produced at an elite pace.

The only reason why he hasn't maintained that pace, entering his 6th season, is because they keep pushing him onto the wing in the bottom 9.

Keep him on the top line as the C with Pacs and Gallagher/Drouin and he'll score around a ppg.

Well, he did spend most of those 6 seasons "sheltered" on the wing...

Best strategy to develop a #1 center: play him on the wing for 4 years and then complain he can't play center.
- BashCH

Well, he did spend most of those 6 seasons "sheltered" on the wing...

Best strategy to develop a #1 center: play him on the wing for 4 years and then complain he can't play center.
- BashCH

exactly.

When they came back from the lock-out was the perfect time to put him at center and live with his mistakes, people's expectations were pretty low.

Whenever Galchenyuk is played at center on the top line, he's consistently produced at an elite pace.

The only reason why he hasn't maintained that pace, entering his 6th season, is because they keep pushing him onto the wing in the bottom 9.

Keep him on the top line as the C with Pacs and Gallagher/Drouin and he'll score around a ppg.
- GstrangWondah

Yeah, might be a bit optimistic, but I'd play it this way too:

Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Drouin
Lehkonen-Danault-Gallagher
Byron-Plekanec-Hemsky
Shaw-Mitchell-Martinsen/McCarron

Well, he did spend most of those 6 seasons "sheltered" on the wing...

Best strategy to develop a #1 center: play him on the wing for 4 years and then complain he can't play center.
- BashCH

I don't care if he plays wing or center, he never was 1ppg player.

that lasted 1 month.
sure if he can maintain that pace (1ppg) for 82 games, CJ will look the other way when they don't have the puck. but Galchenyuk hasn't prove he can do it on a regular basis. not yet. and he'll start his 6th season.....
- fidopro

To be fair, it lasted 60 games stretched over two seasons. But both points here are valid. He has produced at an elite level, he hasn't proven that he can maintain it.

I don't care if he plays wing or center, he never was 1ppg player.
- fidopro

0.9ppg over that 60 games I mentioned. 70pts per season would be an acceptable 1C in today's NHL.

0.9ppg over that 60 games I mentioned. 70pts per season would be an acceptable 1C in today's NHL.
- kev1586

yeah, when you have to spread over 2 seasons....
let me have it over 1 meaningfull season, not like the end of 15-16. then we'll talk.

Yeah, might be a bit optimistic, but I'd play it this way too:

Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Drouin
Lehkonen-Danault-Gallagher
Byron-Plekanec-Hemsky
Shaw-Mitchell-Martinsen/McCarron
- kev1586

Danault will center PAtches.

yeah, when you have to spread over 2 seasons....
let me have it over 1 meaningfull season, not like the end of 15-16. then we'll talk.
- fidopro

You are right on this point. BUT, it was an injury that slowed him and its only been another 30 or so slow games since. If fans can't believe in him getting "it" because it was only 30 good games, why is it ok to say he'll never be a true 1C over 30 bad games? The truth about Galchenyuk seems to a lot closer to "we don't really know what we have in him yet" which sounds stupid considering 6 NHL seasons, but that's what happens by consistently sticking him on the wing because Tomas Turtleneck Plekanec needs his ice time...

Danault will center PAtches.
- WaterBoy

Why?

Danault will center PAtches.
- WaterBoy

Both cap hits please.

I don't care if he plays wing or center, he never was 1ppg player.
- fidopro

Calmos pepe...there were 11 ppg players in the league last year. I'd be OK if he was a .75-.8 ppg...

Calmos pepe...there were 11 ppg players in the league last year. I'd be OK if he was a .75-.8 ppg...
- BashCH

exactly. that's what some called 'elite pace' as seen above

Calmos pepe...there were 11 ppg players in the league last year. I'd be OK if he was a .75-.8 ppg...
- BashCH

That's including Samuel Henley and Vladimir Sobotka!

Why?
- kev1586

Cuz it actually works.

Guys I'm starting to get the feeling Angry Marty isn't fond of howard

Guys I'm starting to get the feeling Angry Marty isn't fond of howard
- dt99999

Oh?

Oh?
- pete26

Just a feeling

Just a feeling
- dt99999

I see.