Pittsburgh Penguins trade rumors: Alex Galchenyuk a great fit

The Pittsburgh Penguins would be wise to kick the tires on Canadiens’ forward Alex Galchenyuk. 

Entering the 2017-18 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins still have a massive hole at third line center. This is fine because they’re in no rush to find a better option. Gregg McKegg has been surprisingly solid, even though he only has three points in seven games. At the very least, the Penguins now know he’s definitely worth keeping around.

However, the past two seasons, the Pens won the Stanley Cup by having three dominant forward lines. This was especially true in 2015-16, when Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, and Phil Kessel picked up the slack when Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were quiet against the Washington Capitals.

No offense to McKegg, but he’s no Bonino. He’d be a mighty fine fourth line center, especially with his ability to produce and his underrated two-way game. But he’s not a difference maker. And the Penguins’ third line no longer features Kessel full-time, who is spending more time with Malkin these days. Phil is more productive with the second line center as well. Acquiring a third line center is a must for the Penguins. Preferably one who can be a huge difference maker.

The Montreal Canadiens, meanwhile, are struggling. Alex Galchenyuk’s slow start isn’t good, especially with the drama he and the Habs have gone through recently. Sure, he signed an extension this offseason. But it’s worth noting Galchenyuk didn’t get a no-trade clause. So a trade is still very plausible, especially if the Canadiens don’t pick up the pace.

According to Darren Dregger, the Penguins definitely have interested in the Habs forward. Transcription is courtesy of FanRag Sports.

"“Jim Rutherford and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the market for a center… Alex Galchenyuk from the Montreal Canadiens – his name has surfaced. And we shouldn’t be overly surprised by that, again, given the fact that more often than not Galchenyuk seems to be in the dog house there… perhaps there’s a fit there that makes some sense.”"

There might have to be some salary cap movement by the Penguins for this to work. Galchenyuk has a very reasonable $4.9 million cap hit over the next three seasons. Right now, CapFriendly estimates they have just over $2.1 million of cap space (though their deadline cap space exceeds $9 million). But next season, they only have 14 players under contract and a shade over $14 million to work with. Adding Galchenyuk puts them at under $10 million of space with no fewer than seven to eight players to sign. And this is before potentially bringing back Patric Hornqvist.

But next season, they only have 14 players under contract and a shade over $14 million to work with. Adding Galchenyuk puts them at under $10 million of space with no fewer than seven to eight players to sign. And this is before potentially bringing back Patric Hornqvist, who is a very valuable member of the Penguins.

Of course, Pittsburgh could make Montreal retain some of his salary cap hit. But the Canadiens likely wouldn’t do that unless the Penguins make it worth their while. Olli Maatta would be a logical candidate for the Pens to include in the trade, given his cap hit, but does Montreal want yet another high priced defenseman? They already have three.

Galchenyuk would be a great fit in Pittsburgh. First of all, yes, he’s a center, despite what the Canadiens think. At the very least, he definitely has the talent to be able to carry a line. Especially since Galchenyuk would likely face weaker competition because teams have to focus on stopping Crosby and Malkin. His salary cap hit complicates things, but he would unquestionably make them a better team now. And that’s what the Penguins should care about.

Next: 3 Burning Questions For The Penguins

Expect the Penguins to wait until the trade deadline to pull off a huge move. Trading for Galchenyuk right now would require a ton of planning. Doing it in February requires very little. Yes, the Penguins would have to worry about what to do to clear cap space in the offseason. But the Pens are in win now mode. They can cross the salary cap bridge when they come to it.

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