Recrutes

Recrutes: Hockey scouting from a professional perspective from Grant McCagg and Habs coverage from a 33 year veteran covering the NHL from Brian Wilde.

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McLean’s Pub Call Of The Wilde: Use Him Or Trade Him

December 8, 2017

By Brian Wilde

If this is how you feel about Alex Galchenyuk, trade him. If even when he is putting up points, skating well, dangling well, and stickhandling excitedly while still striding, you still feel you have little use for him, then move on from him. If when he’s at his best you see the worst, then move on from him. You’re wasting one of your best offensive assets, so go get someone you won’t waste.

It may seem like simple analysis but there are two nets. And though it may seem preposterous to this organization, here’s a news flash for you… you have to win the game at both nets to actually win the game.

Against the Calgary Flames, the Habs played the third period with the desire to not allow a goal, with almost no thought that they might need another one. They got what they planned for. They set up shop to defend for 20 minutes and it failed as it naturally will. They had no use whatsoever for Alex Galchenyuk.

At the wing position, Galchenyuk wins you the game at one net and doesn’t lose you the game at the other net but the Montreal Canadiens are under the impression he is a massive liability at wing who can not be trusted at all.

They drafted this player as a center and the truth is he simply doesn’t think the game well enough to play center. The counter argument is he had a good run to start last season at center but the sample size of success is simply not big enough to seriously suggest that one should ignore the countless gaffes not picking up his man defensively or even knowing what his assignment is. Very few intelligent hockey people believe Galchenyuk can play this center position effectively.

Fine. Let’s move on from that and get to the heart of the more serious matter.

Now he’s on the wing. Lo and behold, the script is playing out one more time with one more coach, in the exact same manner.

GM Marc Bergevin hires a new man and he does the same things as the former man.

Claude Julien tells his players regularly to not play on their heels, yet the defensive players receive double shifts and the offensive ones barely see the ice. How are the players supposed to play aggressively? The posture itself is designed to play in your own end and allow a goal. They’re not even trying to score for the final 20 minutes. This isn’t 2013. In 2017-2018 with goals up almost a full one per game from 5.2 to 6.1, you don’t nurse a lead for 20 minutes; you fail to nurse a lead for 20 minutes.

Alex Galchenyuk got one minute of ice time in the third period. One!!! He did not see the ice in overtime. Neither did Paul Byron who with his speed should be the first player on the ice in overtime and should be the most used in overtime of all players. That is if the object is to score goals and win the game. The Habs brass tries to not lose the game and in so doing with the negative posture, does exactly that.

Safe is death.

So now we find Alex Galchenyuk on the wing and again the organization feels he is such a liability that he barely plays. Let’s be clear about how good or bad Galchenyuk is on the wing defensively and you decide. He’s got one job to do essentially. He has to make sure that his point man doesn’t get away from him or take clear shots. He has to cover the point. He has to make sure the point man doesn’t go back door on him on a rush. Basically, this one single solitary assignment can be covered off by a chimpanzee. It’s not hard. It’s, in fact, about as easy as can be and that’s why Marc Bergevin said at the recent golf tournament “Alex is a winger. I don’t need to see him another 10 times at center to tell you Alex is not a center”. Alex is a winger. Most don’t argue this.

Somehow, though it didn’t seem possible, it is getting even messier. The Habs Borg now doesn’t think he can play wing either.

Poppycock!

The Borg needs to think as individuals. There’s no way all of these hockey men can get together around a cherry wood table and think Galchenyuk in his present form is worth only nine minutes to a hockey team struggling for goals. This can’t be. Nine minutes?

He’s playing strong hockey. He shows limited liability on defence given a limited role to handle. At the other end, he’s playing his best hockey since before the knee injury at the beginning of last season.

Nine minutes?

The comment made by Claude Julien after the game was he needs to puck battle better. Certainly he does, but that is not his skill set. Does Byron Froese get called out because he needs to shoot harder or skate better? No. Obviously because that is not his skill set. Why does a limited hockey player with limited offensive skills not get punished for that in the Habs Borg? So it’s 17 minutes for the players who can not get you a goal and 9 minutes for a player who can?

Galchenyuk’s skill set is the rare one. His skill set brings fans to their feet. His skill set scores goals and sets up goals. He thrives on the power play. He thrives at the offensive goal. This net is half of the game.

This brings us to our uncomfortable conclusion… If you are only going to like Galchenyuk only if he becomes Byron Froese, then move on from him already. If you can’t appreciate his offensive acumen, show no pleasure in the game he brings, then move on from him. If he is a liability so woeful in his defensive zone that you can’t even use him on your team in a one-goal game, then move on from him.

You hate him at center. Okay. You now hate him on the wing? There’s nowhere left.

If you’re Bergevin and you see Galchenyuk as a 20 goal scorer that you hate, then trade him for a 20 goal scorer that you love. At least then you have a player that you’ll use.

Move on from him Bergevin, or move on yourself, or hire someone into the Habs Borg who can see the value of an Alex Galchenyuk.

Because at the end of the day and at the end of a game of hockey… there are two nets.

About Brian Wilde

Brian Wilde has worked in hockey since he was 20. He was the rink side host for the Edmonton Oilers at CTV and Ottawa Senators for Sportsnet. He was also lead reporter on the Montreal Canadiens for 17 years at CTV Montreal.

View all posts by Brian Wilde

  • John Rayner says

    Whatever the coach thinks of Alex 5/5, there is no reason at all not to play him 3/3. To have a defensive posture 3/3 is almost sure death … as we have seen before and will see again. It seems to me that players like Byron, Galch, Drouin and maybe Gally and Hudon should be the goto guys in OT. Max can’t stickhandle or pass, he can only skate and shoot. You need more of the former in OT and less of the latter. And guys like Mete, Petry, and maybe Schlemko on D.

  • David Muhlstock says

    What a terrific, trenchant analysis. I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve been really impressed with Galchenyuk’s offensive efforts the last several games, and was very glad for him. I was actually offended that Julien, who seems like a very decent man. would so clumsily use the media to embarrass him. If he had something to say, it could be said confidentially and constructively. There’s no excuse for how he did it. I think it would be a shame to lose someone with such offensive gifts. I’m reminded of the callous way Andrei Markov was treated. There’s a surprising lack of respect.

  • Elisabeth Di Niro says

    You nailed it… I was pissed last night to see that he was not on the ice for overtime. I knew we were gonna get scored on the minute I saw 14 and 67. Terrible coaching last night…

  • Bart van Eyk says

    Thank you, Brian! Exactly my sentiment! Instead of playing to his strengthes, building around him, they continue to tear him down, ruin him, and destroy his self-confidence. Contrary to those who have drunk the Bergevin Kool-Aid, I believe Chucky is a true talent. But he gets made the scapegoat, again and again. I am so disgusted with the resident Neanderthals, Julien and Bergevin….both mediocre hockey talents who can’t seem to stomach their superiors. The one(s) who need to go are Bergevin and Julien.

  • Elisabeth Di Niro says

    Hopefully after some reflection, he will re-evaluate what went wrong and he can see he needs to use his speed. I can’t believe Byron was not used more too.

  • Job Goulding says

    They have to hold onto him til they see what happens with tavares. If it wasn’t for that I would say he already gone.

  • Marvin Matthews says

    Brilliant, Brian. It is obvious that this management team is not enamoured with Alex and nothing is going to change that opinion. It’s disheartening to fans.

  • Jon Saunders says

    Nice rant Brian….I totally agree with all you’ve said but there is one thing missing in all of this, their not helping their situation on trade value their gonna bury him and cripple themselves not getting a fair return if they keep this up, I just don’t understand either.

    Have a nice day Brian

  • Curtis Traverse says

    Nailed this one Brian! It is infuriating to watch how they have used him and some of the other talented players. I don’t want my team to try not to lose when its 2-2. Put these guys on the ice and make something happen!

  • Jean-Yves Fillion says

    If we trade him we will not get a good return because the management made sure to lower his value by the way they treated him. With a team that struggles to score and you trade him it would make no sense.

  • Scott says

    Bang on Brian. This team couldn’t play 3 on 3 with Therrien and can’t with Julien because they play for a shootout which they fail miserably at too! Until Geoff Molson blows this whole group up and he himself resigns as president this team is going nowhere. CJ was fired in
    Boston for his inability to adapt a system that fitted his players skill set. Same for Therrien in Pittsburgh. He wanted Sid and Malkin to play defence. Mario said no way and fired his sorry ass. Lefebvre continues to play the vets in Laval while the prospects sit and rot on the bench. In my 52 yrs now as a Habs fan this is by far the worst shape this organization has been in. Molson continues to live in the past. There are only a handful worse in the league. Buffalo, Carolina, Arizona & Florida.

  • Glenn Gunther says

    Perfect analysis, Brian…I love the kid & think he could be a huge asset for a team that would use him properly. At this point I’d rather have him go somewhere & thrive, rather than have him languish in MTL.
    I think it’ll come back to bite them in the ass!
    Safe is death!!

  • Pino says

    Nailed it again Brian, agree with you 100%! Now the hard question, based on your knowledge of how NHL GMs think/work, what do you think Bergevin will do.
    He tried to trade Alex in the off -season but the offers were too low. He was probably hoping Julien could get more out Alex, this train has now left the station too. Picking Alex #3 was Bergevin’s first real decision as a new GM and today as we speak this asset has lost value significantly. If Bergevin trades him for nothing (Jarred Tinordi), it will be another major failure re: his managerial skills. Not because Alex didn’t pan out but due to the fact that he held on to this asset again too long. IMO his only way out is to force Julien to play Alex >20 minutes at center with Drouin; the best winger we have until all the fans/media are in agreement that Alex’s is not an effective player so the trading him for nothing was the only chose Bergevin had. The upside of this strategy is that maybe, just maybe Alex will turn out to be an effective player allowing Bergevin to trade him for another equally effective player.

  • Jennifer LaPoint says

    It is so frustrating the way the Habs have handled Chucky his entire career, as you’ve shown in this very blunt and frustrated column. It’s like they’ve hated him since the start. Why? Maybe there’s something we don’t see off the ice or they don’t like his work ethic in practice. But honestly, who gives a s#!% what happens anywhere but in games, where he’s one of few guys capable of scoring consistently, which has always been a desperate need for this team. I hate to trade him because I know if (when) we do, he’s gonna destroy us every time we meet his new team. Let’s hope for our sake he goes out west…

  • Eric says

    This is garbage on so many ends. Another armchair GM/Coach who doesn’t have a clue about hockey. Galchenyuk shows up for 1 game and is a ghost for the next 5. Unacceptable.

    • Brian Wilde says

      Actually not an armchair GM but a journalist. This is what journalism is. If you don’t like the craft of it, don’t participate in it.

  • Danny Nguyen says

    Excellent analysis, Brian. One question that should stand above all is why Galchenyuk is such on a short leash while other players can have as many sloppy moments as he does right now. I’m not shy in putting names forward, so I will say that Mr. Pacioretty and Mr. Plekanec have yet to receive any backlash you would expect from a tough and yet fair head coach. With all due respect to the latter two players, they both remind me of Russ Courtnall and Brian Skrudland towards the end of their time in Montreal.

    • Brian Wilde says

      This is a defensive coach and this year is the first offensive year in a while in the league. I watch games every night and offence and creativity are on the uptrend but coaches and GMs thinking defensively and building brawny line ups are struggling. Look at Chiarelli in Edmonton he built a slow big roster and they’re getting passed by. Skating is the answer. Not defends this year because defending is difficult now not able to slash or hold. So you gotta spend time in the other end where they have trouble defending. But that is what this coach favours so Plekanec will be a favourite.

      • Elisabeth Di Niro says

        I’m gonna add something to this Brian… coaches are like teachers. As teachers need to evolve in their craft with the ever changing effect of technology in education, coaches need to adapt to the “new” NHL. As a teacher, I would have been left in the dust if I didn’t sharpen my skills regularly and not adapt to what is going on around me as well as in society. I really believe that CJ will learn this lesson, however the hard Way. Self- reflection is very important in teaching, so I would imagine it is for him as well. I’m gonna be positive here and say, he’s gonna evolve in his coaching style… he will have no choice because otherwise, the team won’t win.

      • Shawn Couch says

        Coaches for sure make mistakes but they may also know more about what is going on in the room or with players off the ice than we are privy to as fans. I would like to see Chucky used more as well but I am wondering if there is more to the story that we don’t know

      • Elisabeth Di Niro says

        There may be more to the story, but not using in the 3-3 and using slower forwards is a mistake. That’s the truth. Maybe he has an attitude problem… who knows, but when you’re trying to win games, you gotta put your best players out there.

      • Brian Wilde says

        Are you a subscriber Eric or just enjoying the free view and taking the opportunity to be aggressive. The only thing I can think to ask fairly is if you hate me so much and hate Grant so much and generally hate the media so much why have you subscribed?
        And if you are just trolling here and hate reading articles and hate journalists again the same question is why are you here ?

        And if the answer is to intimidate me and my opinions, I can tell you 100 percent No Never. That’s never going to happen. I won’t ever sacrifice my opinions or my integrity on the back of you or anyone’s attempt at intimidating me or Grant.

  • Jean S says

    Bang on Brian. Tired of seeing Habs playing like they are afraid to lose as opposed to go for the win, the win they deserve. Thing is, even with the “responsible” players on the ice, the ones who do what the coach loves, they are no better than a .500 team! If this is the objective, let us know, we can move on too!

  • Ralph Segreto says

    It may be pure coincidence but there are no more Russians on the team and Galchenyuk (American by birth but Russian by genetics) keeps getting pushed while others get defended. This organization, excepting Drouin who is s local boy, does not seem to appreciate offensive skill. Who, other than Drouin and Galchenyuk, have a true open ice, break down the defense skill set? There are some good players there, but only 2 of that type. Well said Bryan. While Galchenyuk could be better in some areas, management ignores what he’s good at. He might show us more of that, somewhere else. It’s only a matter of time. I’m sure the decision was made some time ago to move him, but the return has been unacceptable. Hardly a surprise given his handling.

  • Henry Viger says

    Well said Brian. I’m so frustrated with the way they use AG27. What’s the point in having him to just ride the bench? Shouldn’t a coach know how to use his assets?

  • Dan Gordon says

    The entire management group has no vision, except Timmins. They replace a dinosaur of a manager with another dinosaur. They don’t look at their players abilities and use them for their skill sets.
    Cary Price has carried this team and skewed the numbers in doing so. No Price, and we saw what Bergevin’s team looks like.
    Bring in people that know how to win.
    If there has to be a rebuild in Montreal, please, please do it with a new management team.

  • Betty McAfee says

    Really good analysis I think. And of the two choices, I hope they use him rather than trade him. I really enjoy watching him play.

  • Adamo Sacchetti says

    He will get traded and not for hockey reasons unfortunately. Even if he scores 50, they’re intent on trading him.

  • Robert Thomson says

    The Habs treatment of Chucky is unbelievable. The guy is full of offensive talent, obvious to anyone who watches the games. Not using him 3 on 3 is preposterous. You would think after losing repeatedly in OT with a safe defensive mindset, the coaching staff would clue in. I guess not. You know if Chucky is traded he will shine wherever he goes. It’s hard to believe that management and the coaching staff could be so clueless and still have their jobs.

  • Debbie Seida says

    In total agreement Brian.
    I’m so tired of this organization trying to stifle the players that have offensive skills.

  • Sam says

    Great read and analysis…

    PLEASE SEND TO GEOFF MOLSON cause Bergiven and Julian AND even Molson dont give a dam-they are confortable ALL with $$$ for years to come…and we fans all suffer cause were thirsty for another cup.
    I was there in the Forum i 93 ..am 75 and i will never see another CH cup won again…sad…

  • Scott Murray says

    I wasn’t blown away by Galchenyuk against the Flames but I recall he has better chemistry with Drouin, who has been our of the line-up recently. I thought Julien’s comments post game were unnecessary and likely unhelpful, but I hope he learns from this as a coach. Wasn’t one Seguin enough?

  • Nik S says

    Great Analysis Brian, after we won the last cup in 1993, it was inept owner Ron Corey, and clueless management hired (Rejean Houle and Mario Tremblay) that resulted in Patrick Roy being traded. Now it seems in this organization, names change but philosophies on hockey decisions – player development/management don’t ever change. We drafted a naturally talented Puck-moving defenseman in PK Subban but Bergevin and Coach Therrien berrate the Subban on a consistent basis privately and publicly. If we back up a little before that, we have the chance to get a Hall-of Fame Larry Robinson as Defensemans’ coach, but what happens GM Berg/Coach Therrien show a “lack of respect” and hastily hire average coach J.J Daigneault, it’s funny that’s the same “lack of respect” that Andrei Markov was shown this offseason, eventhough he was drafted, developed, and served 16 seasons, but at the end of the day there’s no new ownership because this franchise is winning by being profitable, these types of hockey decisions will be a recurring theme. Paxcioretty has a good shot and is an opportunistic goal scorer, but besides that what else, yet he’s our Captain. Drouin really talented player but unfortunately, playing out of position as a centreman because winning faceoffs is not his strengths. Galchenyuk they drafted him, rushed him into the league, and really have been screwing around with such a talented player, this management is confused and they have confused Galchenyuk into not knowing whether he’s a Center or a winger. The overtime strategy implemented by CJ sucks, but that’s ok we have to pretend that we’re just as drunk as the organization because it’s top 3 in forbes franchise value. Look at the AHL product we can’t even develop prospects successfully and provide them with a winning attitude and culture so that when they are called upon they can make the most of their opportunity and add value to the NHL team. You are right Brian, they really should trade Galchenyuk, if they can’t see the talent and value, because Bergevin and Julien, from their playing days never had the type of talent/hockey sense that Drouin or Galchenyuk have.

    • Jon says

      And to add to my comment re a detroit trade( pacc, galch, mccarron, lindgren for svechnikov, rasmussen and a 1st) it has to be accompanied by either a new gm, and or the message sent to julien to play the new young kids and in the positions that they were drafted to play in. i.e. top 6 or bottom 6.

      Same goes for lefebvre, who for the life of me i cant understand why he is STILL the coach.

  • Jon says

    Pacc, galchenyuk mccarron lindgren to detroit for ….

    Rasmussen …6”6, 215 pound center. skates really well has all the tools, sees the ice well,

    Svechnikov is 6”3, 212 pounds, good offensive potential.

    And detroits 1st this year.

    Detroit can get pacc and galchenyuk mccarron and lindgren and still have athanasiou, Larkin, Mantha etc.

    And remember- pacc played with michigan and mccarron is from michigan.

  • habbernack says

    It used to be the fans that drove players out of Mtl….now it’s the coach and managemeent

  • Hobo3 says

    Everyone is harping on Chucky – but no ones says a word that Pac skates past the blues player who scored the winning goal in overtime while Pac was bumping into Price. Pac is soft on the broads as well and some of Canada woman hockey player put him to shame on the physical side of play

  • Alfredo Borrello says

    There are many players that are double digit negative and they don’t get half the criticisme that Chucks gets, this is a real joke .

  • Roger Steels says

    Congrats Brian on another well thought out analysis on the mismanagement of AG27.
    Tonite another limp effort against the Oilers where blame will shift on to Price’s shoulders. But lost in this game were two things. Trailing 4-0 in the 2nd the HABS went on the PP. With the puck deep in our end Gally27 picked the puck up and took it up ice. He veered right and crossed the Oilers blueline at speed. Protecting the puck he looked for an open man in the middle. Seeing no one he fired the puck around the net out to our point man. A quick pass to Petry on the other point followed. He wound up and then direct passed to Gally27 heading towards the net who promptly redirected it behind the Oilers goalie and the HABS were on the board. Poetry in motion was what it was. But somehow he’ll be another scapegoat for tonite’s loss.
    Everything that has been written or commented already on this story is sadly true. However, I see one thing differently about the devaluing of Gally27. I really don’t think Bergevin cares what he and Julien are doing to him. If he trades him this week and takes a bath by only getting 2 more 4th liners back for him he’ll consider it a win. That’s how out of touch Bergevin is as a GM. With his newly received Vote of Confidence from our inept Team President wannabe/Owner he’s free to do whatever. For whatever reason Molson has complete faith in Bergevin’s leadership. Maybe it’s because of the 5 Cups he’s brought to Montreal??? But whatever it is this team is in peril. I’m not sure exactly what has to happen that awakens Molson from his walking/talking coma to regain control of this team. But until that event happens bad things will continue to dog this team. We have officially turned into the Leafs of the last 50 yrs( not counting the last 2-3yrs). Their ineptness kept them being an ongoing joke of a franchise that barely saw the playoffs. That’s where we’re headed. We might even see Julien come out with a paper or plastic bag over his head one night.
    I love Gally27 but I really believe his time in MTL will be short lived. But he will haunt this team for years.

    I said two things stood out tonite. The 2nd was the giant FU served up by Davidson to Marc Bergevin. He played a solid game for the Oilers and came away with a win over his old team. So glad Bergevin came away with a haul in dealing Davidson away.

  • Scott says

    I so completely agree. What management has accomplished with Chucky is nothing short of stubbornness. And they seem to do this relentlessly. Hate to bring it up, but management should have found a way to ‘manage’ PK’s locker room issues. Instead of finding a way to ‘coach’ him and help him grow as a young man, they get rid of him. This is now happening with our 3rd overall pick. It baffles me as a life-long fan. It hurts to see what MB has done since moving PK. This club and make up of it is going nowhere. And past Captain’s must be wondering when exactly Patch will show some passion, drive and will to win. Frustrating and sad.

  • Michael Nixon says

    This just exemplifies the problem with the Habs. As I said on TSN690 Friday afternoon, in terms of who sees the ice in OT, are you trying to win or just push the game to the shootout. For all his defensive liabilities such as lack of effort, does 67 get benched? Never…

    The problem in Montreal is a philosophy that emanates from a GM who is stuck in the past.

  • John Bowman says

    Horrible Coaching over the past few years and its time for Big Marc to get a seat beside his foxhole buddy . We need to get into the game in 2017 and stop playing 1980 hockey . Sad to see .