It's Official - Galchenyuk will play Center (Habs)

Habs

It's Official - Galchenyuk will play Center

By Jennifer B Cutler

Sep 11, 2015 • 6:56 am

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Thanks to Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin’s announcement at the Canadiens golf tournament yesterday, the debate is now over as to whether or not Alex Galchenyuk will start the season playing center or wing is finally over.

Now the fun begins, with everyone rearranging their lineups in anticipation of training camp. Even then, it is unlikely that we will get a sense of what the real trios will look like until the end of camp, when most of the extra bodies have gone back to St. John’s or junior hockey. What we do know, is that the trend in the NHL is to have strong duo’s with the 3rd player being interchangeable. Considering that Galchenyuk has a strong history playing with Brendan Gallagher, I imagine that Therrien will put the two of them together to start the season. The left winger on that line will depend on Max Pacioretty’s health and if he is ready to start the season or not. If no prospects make the team out of training camp and Pacioretty is healthy, this is one possibility of lines:

Scenario # 1:

Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Gallagher Semin-Plekanec-Kassian Desharnais-Eller-Smith Pelly De La Rose-Mitchell-Weise

However, if Therrien decides to start the season with Pacioretty playing alongside Plekanec, I could see the following version playing out, especially if a prospect is able to play its way on the team. In this case Jacob de la Rose would be the odd man out.

Scenario # 2:

Pacioretty-Plekanec-Semin Scherbak/Hudon/Carr-Galchenyuk-Gallagher (the new kid line) Desharnais-Eller-Kassian Smith-Pelly-Mitchell-Weise

If Pacioretty is not ready to start the season, I believe that Nikita Scherbak will have the best chance to take his spot in the lineup. Just a year ago he hung around until the very end of training camp before finally being sent back to the WHL. This year, he is seemingly coming into camp in terrific shape. Scherbak is the most offensive prospect in the Habs system. While Daniel Carr and Charles Hudon had excellent rookie campaigns in Hamilton and should compete for a spot as well, Scherbak has extra skills - the intangibles that should give him the edge should Pacioretty not be ready to go.

Scenario # 3

Scherbak-Plekanec-Semin Desharnais-Galchenyuk-Gallagher Smith-Pelly-Eller-Kassian De La Rose-Mitchell-Weise

While most won’t like Desharnais as the 2nd line LW, this is temporary until Pacioretty is healthy. The Habs don’t have the NHL depth at left wing and I doubt would have two prospects on the top two lines to start the season.

I think moving Galchenyuk to center will have the greatest impact on the Canadiens powerplay. Imagine a 1st unit of:

Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Semin Markov-Subban

With consultant Craig Ramsay on board, the Habs powerplay must improve and the simple switch of positions could really alter things for the Canadiens.

I won’t touch the captaincy debate. It will continue throughout training camp even though most believe that the honour will go to Pacioretty.

The only unfortunate news to come from yesterday did not involve the players at the golf tournament. 2015 1st round pick Noah Juulsen is suffering from a concussion and will not participate in the Canadiens Rookie camp. Hopefully he will recover and be ready for the Habs main training camp but one never knows with concussions... As well prospect Mark MacMillan and try-out hopeful Markus Eisenschmid are out from the tournament this weekend in London.

Hopefully the Canadiens are simply being cautious with whatever injuries they have and they will still be able to take part in rookie practices. While MacMillan is destined for the Ice Caps, Eisenschmid was hoping to build on his strong performance at the July development camp and earn a professional contract.

The best news coming out from the tournament:

Cheers and have a great weekend!

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