With the draft fast approaching Habs winger Alex Galchenyuk has fired his agent Igor Larionov. While no real details have been publicly shared rumbles and rumors are that the 1st Round pick wasn’t terribly interested in a bridge contract.
Galchenyuk was drafted to be the Habs eventual number one centre; something that hasn’t happened to date while the youngster has gained ice time and experience which resulted in him posting 20 goals and 90 hits last season.
That’s led to speculation that he just might be a chip in GM Mark Bergevin’s quest to building a Stanley Cup contending team. Galchenyuk did not truly distinguish himself in the Habs 12 games this year in the second season.
He’s a RFA with a team that is usually offering bridge deals like it did to PK Subban who earned a whopping big contract after his expired. Galchenyuk might be also be a candidate to an offer sheet from another team which the Habs would most likely match.
But could the Habs consider trading their young stud to a team like Edmonton that recently signed his former linemate Nail Yakupov to a two year bridge deal? Montreal is looking for a big centre and the Oilers have their own youngster in Leon Draistail who had a taste of the NHL this season?
Both were drafted 3rd overall and while Galchenyuk clearly has a higher offensive upside Draisatial is a bigger centre. The question is what would the Oilers have to add to make that deal if it was something Bergevin were interested in?
A lot of teams are expected to make big bangs at the draft. Montreal while finishing with a strong record wilted in the play offs and does not have a strong draft palette for this season with a late round 1st, no second round and no fourth.
What are you expecting Hab’s fans? Who will stay and who will go? You can post your comments below.