There has been speculation that if the 20 year old Milwaukee, Wisconsin native had not missed all but eight games for Sarina in his draft year due to a knee injury, he would have been taken first overall. I don't know how true that is but watching Alex Galchenyuk so far this season, it shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.
Galchenyuk has started the season with points in six of the Canadiens first seven games so far is a on a point per game (ppg) pace. He looks like a completely different player on the ice compared to last year. He is more confident, aggressive and stronger and has finally shown Canadiens fans the game breaking ability we all hoped for when he was drafted third overall. Last year we saw glimpses of Galchenyuk's potential, he started out with a similar point pace as this year, however as the season wore on he struggled, he lacked confidence and ultimately fell into injury trouble.
This year, however, Canadiens fans are being treated to something special. This is Galchenyuk's coming out party. If any proof is needed look no further than his late game heroics in Montreal's 2-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings this past Tuesday. With just over three minutes to go in a 1-0 game, Galchenyuk shook off Red Wings defender Kyle Quincy, who had been shadowing him all night, like he was a peewee defender to score on a clueless Jimmy Howard with a wrap around to tie the game. No one saw that from the young American last season, where questions about his strength persisted. This season Galchenyuk seems determined to establish himself as one of the Canadien's most dangerous offensive weapons.
Coach Michel Terrien on Galchenyuk after Tuesday's win,
"Galchenyuk competes really hard. That's the reason he scored that goal.
The kid's got character; this is what we like about him."
The kid even has ice in his veins,
"My job was to get that puck and put it on net, and his job was not
letting me do it. I got the best of that, but that game's over and to be
honest I already forgot about it."
That is Galchenyuk when asked about his game tying goal against Detroit.
So what is a realistic prediction for Galchenyuk for this year? 50 points? 60? is 70 too high? I would say realistic expectations would be 55+ points but I don't think 70 is impossible.
As a side note, many Canadiens fans seem anxious to move Galchenyuk to his natural centre position as soon as possible but I think that it can wait. Let the kid flourish, get stronger and gain more confidence on the wing. Allow him to become that ppg player the Canadien's believe they have drafted. Then when the Canadien's feel that they are confident enough with Galchenyuk, they can move one of their centres and give him the reigns.
