The Montreal Canadiens (14-3-2) host the Arizona Coyotes (9-8-1) tonight at the Bell Centre as both teams will face each other for the first time this season. They split their two-game series last year, with Alex Galchenyuk scoring two goals in less than five minutes during one of their encounters.
Much talk has been made about Alex Galchenyuk’s role and progress with the team so far. He has 11 points in 19 games in 2015-2016, compared to 13 in 19 last year, while averaging approximately 2 minutes less of ice time a game this season.
As we’ve all seen by now, the Alexander Semin playing on Galchenyuk’s right wing experiment is all but officially over, as Semin was signed during the offseason in order to provide added scoring to a team that desperately needed it. Evidently, that plan did not work out accordingly, and Semin will once again sit out tonight’s game against the Coyotes. Playing with Lars Eller to his left has allowed Galchenyuk to further fine-tune his game as a center, though many in the media are questioning just how effective he truly is playing in his natural position. There’s clearly a great deal of dissatisfaction with his production this year.
Members of the media and fans alike have been insisting that Galchenyuk should play at center for over a year now, and I count myself among those who proactively encouraged this personnel decision. I wish I could understand why, all of a sudden, mostly everyone is going back on their word. It’s no wonder, then, that a lot of mainstream analysts are often criticized for a lack of consistency which eventually takes away from their credibility. I will say it, flat out: Galchenyuk needs to continue developing as a center. Period. That is why he was drafted by the Canadiens’ organization, and you can bet that they will not be changing their minds on #27 anytime soon. At least, I know I certainly would not.
I can understand certain arguments that have been presented, such as how much more efficient he is on the power play alongside David Desharnais, but placing them together at even strength means dismantling two trios that have not hurt the Habs, including one that has been on fire from the start of the season.
I mentioned during the offseason that Galchenyuk could potentially have an off-year in 2015-2016, and that we should not be quick to jump to conclusions about his development or his overall role with the organization. He’s putting up points at a very respectable rate, and is learning to hone his defensive game with the help of Eller. After all, responsibilities are piled on on a center, and he certainly feels the pressure of trying to do too much on his own especially at the age of 21.
People often forget that his age is one of the most important factors that need to be taken into consideration. His emotional intelligence is continuing to mature, and being a young man in his early 20s brings about a lot of questioning due to an inability to always live up to self-imposed standards. Professional athletes, for the most part, expect absolute perfection of themselves, whether that’s with regards to their health and fitness or their performances. Often, they’re their very own worst enemies, and coaches have to be able to manage their young stars’ emotions and expectations.
Torrey Mitchell, who’s off to a great start this season, will play on the right wing next to Galchenyuk and Eller tonight. I’m not quite sure he’s the long-term solution, but his services will be appreciated by his line mates as he’s demonstrated an ability to find the back of the net by getting into the dirty zones around the opponents’ net. Add his speed into the mix, and the Habs have a line that could work well for now.
After all, there’s nothing to worry about in Galchenyuk’s case. He’s still a kid, and he’s learning not to try to do too much on his own. Often, I notice Eller randomly playing like a center and Galchenyuk playing to his left during certain offensive zone entries, so it isn’t as though he doesn’t have a good example to follow.
Perhaps he should consider going to the front of the net more often, just to score a few “garbage… goals (like Pacioretty did against Vancouver) in order to boost his confidence. He certainly has the size and the quick hands to do so.