NHL Trade Rumor: Galchenyuk for Duchene Works For Both Teams
As we approach what is expected to be one of the busiest offseasons in hockey history, NHL trade rumor and potential trade deals will start flying. Here is why a deal between the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche could work.
Alex Galchenyuk and Matt Duchene have both been involved in the NHL Trade Rumor mill for a while now.
Elliott Friedman noted hockey source, said,
"If you think you can have a more established Duchene at a potentially lower number for the next two years than Galchenyuk, does Montreal do it?"
[Via Sportsnet.ca]
They’re both good, relatively young centers, but their teams may need to move on.
The Avalanche need to regroup and rebuild. The Canadiens may be in win now mode.
Those are two situations that the players Alex Galchenyuk and Matt Duchene don’t fit into.
But if you swap them, they could. Here’s why Colorado and Montreal should do that.
So my answer, is, yes. Montreal would do it.
Montreal’s Side
The Canadiens have been waiting for Galchenyuk to blossom into a first line center. That hasn’t happened yet under former head coach Michel Therrien or current head coach Claude Julien. Despite Galchenyuk scoring 44 points the last season, Montreal still expects more out of him.
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In order to be in win now mode, the Canadiens have been willing to get older.
At the trade deadline, they traded for Steve Ott and Jordie Benn. There was an NHL trade rumor they would trade for Duchene as well.
Now, they should do it. Duchene is a proven number one center in the NHL.
Something that, while he hasn’t gotten an adequate opportunity, Galchenyuk has not become.
On a less than skilled Colorado team, Duchene put up 41 points. That’s on a team where the leading scorer (Nathan MacKinnon) had 53.
That would be good for third on the Canadiens. Pairing Duchene with wings like Alexander Radulov and Max Pacioretty would produce a different result.
And that’s what Montreal believes it needs. Someone capable who they don’t have to develop who can play well. That’s how Duchene fits in. He provides them a number one center for right now.
Duchene costs 6 million, but Montreal has the cap space. Plus, Duchene is only three years older than Galchenyuk and has five seasons of 50+ points, including two above 65.
Also, the Canadiens don’t draft until 25th in this year’s draft. It’s not a particularly deep one, so bringing in Duchene should be more important.
Colorado’s Side
There’s a reason the Avalanche are shopping Duchene. They want to get the best return possible as they rebuild. Getting a young center like Galchenyuk as well as a 1st round pick is about as good as it will get.
Plus, Galchenyuk scored more points this season than Duchene did, while playing fewer minutes. And Galchenyuk last year in a full season had 56 points.
The Colorado Avalanche get younger, which is the move they must make.
Galchenyuk is just two years older than Nathan MacKinnon, and the two can continue their development together.
Galchenyuk especially can continue his development into a first line center in Colorado. Once they trade Duchene, it’s not like they have any other center able to step up and take his place.
Which is why an NHL-experienced center like Galchenyuk is so important in any return for Duchene. The Colorado Avalanche don’t want to get better yet, but they don’t want to get worse.
This Trade Works For Both Teams
So why does this NHL Trade Rumor work? Because it assists both teams. Montreal, in win now mode after trading P.K. Subban, need a ready first line center. That’s what Matt Duchene can provide them.
It’s not like acquiring Duchene alone gets them there. But it’s a step in the process to help cement their offense.
Next: Montreal's Expansion Protection Strategy
On the flip side, Colorado needs to get rid of Duchene. They need the cap space but they also need the return Duchene could net them. While they would have to pay Galchenyuk, it would be less than Duchene. And the Avalanche could use the 1st round pick on a defenseman.
So this is one trade that could work for both teams.