Montreal Canadiens: Should Alex Galchenyuk play in the NHL this season?

Now that the NHL and the NHLPA finally managed to conclude a deal and agree to a new collective bargaining agreement yesterday morning, NHL training camps are slated to open between Wednesday and Saturday all around the league after the Board of Governors meets on Tuesday to officially ratify the new agreement.

Will Galchenyuk crack the Habs’ line-up? (Terry Wilson/OHLImages)

The exact specifics of the season are still unknown, but Habs fans should expect a 48-game season that will begin on January 19th, 2013 at Air Canada Centre against their division arch-rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. New general managerMarc Bergevin will be hard pressed to put a competitive roster on the ice after the Canadiens finished last in the Eastern Conference last season.

Bergevin will have to start negotiating withrestricted free agent PK Subban in order to sign the über-talented and charismatic defender to a long-term contract in time for the beginning of the shortened season. Another important decision that Bergevin and his new head coach Michel Therrien will have to make is whether or not to keep the Habs’ third-overall selection of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal or send him back to his junior team, the Sarnia Sting.

Golden Gally

Overall, 2012 has been a successful year for the 18 year-old American. Galchenyuk played a key role in the United States’ gold medal victory over Sweden at the 2013 IIHF U-20 Championship, recording 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points in 7 contests, to go along with a +2 plus/minus differential during the tournament.

Prior to his participation to the World Juniors, Galchenyuk had recorded 61 points in 33 games (27 goals, 34 assists) while posting a solid +16 plus/minus differential with the Sarnia Sting. Now back with the Sting, the native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, could finish the season with more than 100 points should he remain in the OHL.

Alex galchenyuk@AGally94

Yeah baby ! #2013WJC #usahockey pic.twitter.com/bmBQE6Yw

5 Jan 13

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Impressed by his performance at the World Junior Championship and in the OHL, many Canadiens fans are asking for the organization to keep Galchenyuk in Montreal for the whole shortened season. While that sounds interesting and tempting to bring the youngster up to play with the big boys like Nail Yakupov with the Edmonton Oilers or Jonathan Huberdeau with the Florida Panthers, the Canadiens would be wise to leave Gally in the OHL for the remainder of the 2012-13 campaign.

Alex Galchenyuk is tearing it in the OHL (Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE)

Still, look for the Canadiens to invite him to their one-week training camp to see what the young man can do against professional hockey players. The team currently has 13 forwards on a one-way contract, not including Louis Leblanc who played 42 games in the NHL last year and who is currently playing in the AHL for the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Keeping Galchenyuk creates two problems for Michel Therrien and Marc Bergevin. First, the lack of playing time on the first two forward lines will be hard to come by. With the first-line of Erik Cole, David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty set in stone to begin the season, and a probable second line of Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta and Rene Bourque, Galchenyuk, who can play center or right wing, would find himself playing with Lars Eller and Travis Moen on the team’s checking line. Not exactly the best way to develop a top draft pick!

The other hurdle is his entry-level contract. Should he make the NHL after the brief training camp, Gally would earn a prorated $3,225,000 over the remainder the season and burn one year of his entry-level contract. With PK Subban still unsigned (and most likely commanding a salary around $5 million per year) and the organization already tight against the salary cap at $63,897,976 (of $70,200,000), it is safe to assume that the organization would be best suited if they return Galchenyuk to Sarnia to polish his skills and continue to dominate among his group age.

Finally, with the Canadiens most likely battling for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference and not being serious Stanley Cup contenders, Galchenyuk would greatly benefit from a full junior season after missing most of last campaign due to a major knee surgery, and graduate with the Canadiens next September instead.

**************

A long-time Joe Sakic fan, Fred, 34, is a freelance sports writer and translator. Fred earned a Bachelor of Translation in 2002 at Laval University in Quebec City. He also writes on the Montreal Canadiens for thehockeywriters.com and he is an associate editor and a baseball columnist on Dobberbaseball.com. He is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.

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CBA Update, Spengler Cup for Canada, More...

Happy New Year HabsAddicts!!!

As 2012 has come and gone, hope springs eternal in the National Hockey League CBA negotiations. After the NHL presented a comprehensive 288-page offer to the NHLPA on Saturday, both sides have been talking both on the phone and face-to-face over the past three days.

Late last night, both sides broke off talks as the NHL presented another counter-offer to the Players' Association, who they themselves submitted a proposal of their own on New Year's Eve. There doesn't seem to be very much separating the two sides. According to some insiders, both sides have agreed on the ten year term length of the next CBA. However, the two major points of contention remain the $60 Million salary cap in 2013-2014 and escrow payments in years five to ten of the agreement.

While it seems there is plenty to be optimistic about, until both sides have an agreement in principle, fans continue to wait with baited breath.

Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press provides a report on last night's negotiations.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes

- Team Canada, on the strength of a pair of goals by Ryan Smith and John Tavares respectively, cruised to their first Spengler Cup victory in five years over HC Davos 7-2.

- Team USA thrashed the Czech Republic early this morning 7-0 in quarterfinal action at the World Junior Hockey Championships, booking themselves a semi-final showdown with Team Canada. John Gaudreau led the American squad to victory, on the strength of his power play hat trick.

- Joanne Ireland of PostMedia News explores the all-world contribution to Team Canada's World Junior team by Edmonton Oilers' forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

- The Sarnia Sting, minus Alex Galchenyuk, put an end to the London Knights' 24-game winning streak, beating them in overtime 6-5. The streak was the longest is the second longest in OHL'S history, behind the 25-game winning streak set by the 1983-84 Kitchener Rangers and ahead of the 2009-10 Barrie Colts, who had their streak stopped at 22 games.

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Galchenyuk On Fire, Players To Vote On Dissolving The Union And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Alex Galchenyuk of the Sarnia Sting is second in OHL scoring with
61 points in 33 games

I've mentioned before that one of the few positives to come from the lockout -if not the only positive - would be the lack of pressure on Alex Galchenyuk. The Habs have needed a star player ever since Patrick Roy was shipped to Colorado to help lead the Avalanche to two Stanley Cup championships, and Galchenyuk may very well be that star.

The need for an impact player became so crucial that for years the Habs have been rushing their prospects and in doing so, harming their development.

With the drafting of Alex Galchenyuk the last thing the Habs want to do is rush him. After an 83 point season in 2010-11, Galchenyuk injured his leg in a pre-season game last year causing him to miss all but two regular season games and six more in the post season.

Despite his talent and potential it seemed like a no brainer to let him continue his development in the OHL. Galchenyuk has been enjoying quite a season so far and without the NHL there is no pressure to call him up to the NHL. No chance to rush him to the big stage.

However, at a certain point you have to wonder if his domination of the OHL is enough of a challenge for him. While I was happy that there was no chance of throwing him in the deep end at the first sight of success, I never really expected him to have the type of year he is having.

The Sarnia Sting are 33 games into their season and after last night's five point performance in the Sting's 7-4 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs Galchenyuk is just one point behind Ryan Strome of the Niagra IceDogs for the league lead.

Gally's hat trick brought his goal total to 27 which ties him for first with Brett Ritchie, also an IceDog and Boone Jenner of the Oshawa Generals.

Since the beginning of Novemer, Galchenyuk has accumulated 18 goals and 38 points in 18 games. In December, he's notched 11 goals and six assists in just seven games.

With this type of success, I am starting to wonder if he has anything to gain by finishing the season in the OHL. It's always good to dominate in the minors before going pro but at this point it seems too easy.

If the NHL were to resume should the Habs call up Galchenyuk to let him get his feet wet or let him continue to taunt his opposition in th OHL?

Habs And Hockey News

- Mike Blunden celebrated his 26th  birthday with two goals including the game winner for the Hamilton Bulldogs in last night's 6-4 victory over the Rockford IceHogs.

- NHL players will start to vote today on whether or not to dissolve the union. The five day voting period will end Thursday.

- After three years without gold, team Canada has chosen to go with skill over grit at this years World Junior Campionships in UFA, Russia.


(Photo from http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012/06/12/the-curious-case-of-alex-galchenyuk/)

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NHL Files Lawsuit, Subban Guarantees Season, Galchenyuk Highlights And More...

Good Morning Addicts!



Gary bettman and the NHL have filed a class action suit against
the union and 36 players

 Welcome to the Saturday morning roundup, lawsuit edition! "Decertification" as well as "disclaimer of interest' have been the themes of discussion for quite some time around the NHL recently and so it seems it is time to move on to the next.

With rumblings from the NHPLA side that a disclaimer of interest could be on the way, the NHL fired a pre-emptive legal shot with a 43 page class action lawsuit against the union and 36 players. Now while I may have come to accept this mess that the NHL is in, I am in no way looking forward to all the legal mumbo jumbo that is about to take place.

I understand that hockey is a business and that these steps are necessary given the situation. However it will be hard to enjoy it nearly as much as I have in the past after seeing it take place in a court room rather than on the ice.

For more of an understanding of the NHL's move, here's an article by Elliot Friedman.

With all that's been happening, do you think the latest legal moves will end the season for good or can any of the season be salvaged as was the case for the NBA and NFL, 66 games and a for the former and a full season for the latter?

Habs And Hockey News

- Our Own Fred Poulin (@FredPoulin98) focuses on NHL players that have paid the price over the last two lockouts.

- Here is Andrew Berkshire's Habs Oveseas and Prospects Week 12 report.

- You have to love P.K. Subban's optimism. Still without a contract, Subban guaranteed there will be a season on Friday's Marek vs. Wyshynski podcast.
- As much as these legal proceedings getting in the way of hockey may bring you down, do you know what tends to cheer me up? Alex Galchenyuk highlights. Gally enjoyed a three point night with two goals and a helper in a 4-2 win last night over the Guelph Storm.


(Photo from http://bluetoro.ca/2012/09/26/nhl-lockout-top-5-pictures-of-gary-bettman/)

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Hainsey Risking Career, Habs Overseas, Alfie's Doubts And More

Good Morning Addicts!

Jets defenseman Ron Hainsy may be putting his career
in jeopardy

The more and more you look into the lockout mess it's easy to get caught up in what you think the owners are fighting for and what you think it is the players want. Looking at this mess as a whole it's easy to see what is wanted by either side as a group but it's also easy to lose track of what individuals have to lose.

When I say this I am mainly referring to the players. When an agreement is reached the owners will go back to making their millions/billions of dollars. For the most part the players will also resume collecting their hefty paycheques. For some though, it's not that simple.

Of course players who don't fall under superstar status or even the so called "middle class" will be less fortunate. Some players will be left without contracts because teams simply can't afford them due to cap restrictions. Others however may have to pay due to their stance on the current situation.
In an article put out yesterday by Elliot Friedman, it was said that Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ron Hainsey may never get another contract because of the part he's played in this lockout.

Hainsey made a claim that the owners threatened to pull a potential deal off of the table last week if union leader Donald Fehr was brought into the room. That claim was denied by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

There have been rumblings since this claim that after his existing contract, Hainsey will never again play in the NHL.

While nothing has been confirmed, it seems the players need to remember that at the end of the day the owners at the other side of the table are the same people who employ them. While taking a stand is one thing, is it worth it for these players to risk their career's over an argument that may put them out of a job?

Habs And Hockey News

-  Andrew Berkshire returns with week 11 of his Habs Overseas and Prospects report.

- Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson doesn't feel a deal is close.

- Three months into the lockout NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr feels a deal can still be reached.


(Photo by Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press Archives)

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Childish Bargaining, Coach K's "What If?", Habs Prospect Pool And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

As we begin this holiday season I'm not sure what to ask for from ol' St. Nick. While the obvious request would be for the NHL to resume I feel I should be more realistic. The end of this lockout won't happen overnight - as proven by last Wednesday let alone the last three months - but a small part of me still feels a (shortened) season can be salvaged.

Since this feeling lingers inside me, what I would ask for would be some mature tactics when it comes to bargaining for a new deal.

As a daycare teacher I hear a lot of "he said he's not my friend" followed by a "no I didn't!" and plenty of "he called me stupid" which is responded to with "that's not true!". This type of behavior is expected from three and four year olds. Not from grown men who hold the fate of an entire professional sports season in their hands.

Millions of dollars have been lost. Interest in the sport is dropping. Thousands of people are out of jobs. These are the harsh realities that have come from this work stoppage. Yet the most recent talks between the two sides that have made the most progress in weeks came to a halt because of something league deputy commssioner Bill Daly may or may not have said.

In an interview with Adam Proteau of The Hockey News, NHLPA executive Mathieu Schneider says how as soon as the players mentioned bringing Donald Fehr into the room they were told that it would be a deal breaker.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period then writes that in an e-mail sent, Daly states "I know for a fact that Don's name was never mentioned".

With both sides showing stubborness and spending too much time trying to win over the fans - whatever's left of them - sympathy, can the two sides broker a deal or will the childish behaviour cost the league another season?

Habs And Hockey News

- Our own Coach K (@HabsCoachK) provides some good points in his latest "What If?" segement, exploring the possibilities that the players may have liked the NHL's latest proposal more than they've let on and an agreement may be closer than we think.

- Hockey's Future put out a top ten list of teams overall prospect pools, with the Canadiens ranked eighth.

- Here's a must see video of Alex Galchenyuk lighting the lamp in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Sagenaw Spirit. The way he moves around the ice knowing exactly where to set up before ripping it is just so encouraging for any Hab fan to watch.

(Photo from http://billrice.com/tag/arguments/)

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Rangers Owner Wants In On Negotiations, Alex Galchenyuk Tearing Up OHL And More...

Good Morning Addicts!



Rangers Owner James Dolan would like to sit in on labor talks

With labor negotiations going nowhere and mediation failing, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman offered the players a chance to meet with the owners without any league or union officials present.

I have to say it is a creative idea but I'm not too sure the players will go for it. While some may see it as a chance to end the lockout I can't see too many players being comfortable sitting at the bargaining table. On Saturday David Perron of the St. Louis Blues tweeted "Isn't sending players to negociate w. owners without Fehr like us saying to owners let's negotiate this on the ice?". You can't help but think there are plenty of other players worried that they would not get the deal they're hoping for without their union leader Donald Fehr at the table.

Someone who ould like to be at the table with the players, however is Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan. Larry Brooks of the NY Post reported that Dolan.  It's not yet determined yet if Dolan has expressed his interest  to Bettman and it's hard to tell whether or not Bettman will give the MSG owner the green light.

On one hand Dolan urged that Bettman be relieved of his duties in 2007 in conjunction with filing suit against the league in a conflict regarding website, digital rights, licensing and team merchandise control. On the other however, Dolan played a huge role on the NBA owners side last year in helping their lockout come to an end on time for a 66 game season which started on Christmas day.

As the owner of the New York Rangers and CEO of MSG he is losing money with every passing day and with his experience at the NBA bargaining table he's been through this before. Considering these two points, shouldn't Dolan be allowed to sit in and see if he can help bring this lockout to an end?

Habs And Hockey News

-  Alex Galchenyuk just continues to roll as he put up seven points in two night over the weekend. In a 7-4 win Saturday night over the Saginaw Spirit the Sarnia captain tallied a goal and two assists. The next night, Gally added an assist to a three goal performance in a 5-2 win over the Peterbrough Petes putting him third overall in OHL scoring.

- Cedrick Desjardins earned his first shutout of the year in Hamilton in his fourth start as the Bulldogs blanked the Abbotsford Heat 3-0 in only their third win out of their last ten contests.

- Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) continues his coverage of Habs players during the lockout in week 10 of his Overseas Habs and Prospects report.

- Only 24 days are left until the World Junior Championships, and with the NHL locked out Team Canada will be stacked with talent.

- If Commissioner Jeremy Roenick ran the NHL rather than Commissioner Bettman, the league would have fewer teams as soon as the lockout ended.


(Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America)

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Alex Galchenyuk/Brady Vail at 2013 WJC?, Plekanec's Advice to Gally, Owners Need to Speak Up And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Alex Galchenyuk is fifth in the OHL scoring race

There seems to be a lack of hockey news this morning other than the usual lockout talk and the current theme of the week, decertification. With no update on either front I'm going to start with the upcoming World Junior Championships that will begin on boxing day.

Adam French is a blogger for the Phoenix Coyotes - remember them? - over at HockeyBuzz.com. French wrote an article on which forwards he feels will make the American squad. Among his choices are Habs prospects Alex Galchenyuk and Brady Vail.

Galchenyuk seems like a shoe-in. With last night's four point performance in an 8-2 win over the Peterborough Petes, Gally is now fifth in the OHL scoring race with 41 points - 15G 26A - in 25 games. The fact that the 18 year old captain is putting up these numbers on a less than dominant team - sixth place in the Western Conference - makes it that much more impressive.



Brady Vail of the Windsor Spitfires

 Brady Vail of the Windsor Spitfires is further down the chart tied for 37th, but is still putting up a point per game pace with ten goals and 15 helpers in 25 contests. Vail is also putting up his impressive stats on a team that is not exactly a powerhouse as the Spitfires currently sit in seventh place just two points below the Sting.

Will having two Canadiens prospect represent team U.S.A. make it harder for you to root against our neighbours down south?

Habs And Hockey News

- A few days back I highlighted a few questions regarding the Habs that have been left unanswered due to the lockout.

- Tomas Plekanec has a few words of advice for Montreal Canadiens top pick Alex Galchenyuk.

- Larry Brooks of the NY Post makes a good point on how the owners need to step up and let their voices be heard by the board of governors in order to end the lockout.

- With the lack of NHL hockey to watch, Ryan Kennedy of TheHockeyNews.com provides a list of exciting teams to watch from around the leagues.

(Photos by by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images North America)

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Decertification, Plekanec on Cole/Hamrlik Feud, Galchenyuk Dominating And More...

Good Morning Addicts!


Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres
supports decertification.

 As of yesterday, the NHL cancelled all games through December 14th as well as the 2013 All Star game. While nobody really cares about the All Star game, it's quite discouraging to see yet another two weeks be erased from the season.
With the latest block of cancelled games the new talk of the lockout has become decertification. It seems that the term "decertification" has been popping up just about everywhere over the past few days.

Basically what decertification means - or at least from what I understand - is that the NHLPA would disband and the players would no longer be unionized. In doing so the players would be able to file an anti-trust lawsuit claiming the lockout as an "illegal group boycott".

By doing this however, the players would be losing anything that is awarded to them through a CBA such as guaranteed contracts, health benefits, pensions etc... Despite the potential drawbacks, Buffalo Sabres netminder, Ryan Miller has publicly endorsed the idea.

This tactic is said to be feared by the owners but is also an all or nothing type of move. If the players were to go through with decertification and have it not work, they would lose any leverage at the bargaining table and be completely at the mercy of the owners.

For better understanding of decertification, here is a link to a decertification Q&A by Elliotte Friedman.

With a possible cancellation of the entire season seeming closer with each passing day, do you think the players should go through with the decertification process?

Habs And Hockey News

- Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette spoke with Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec about the Hamrlik/Cole feud and more importantly, Plekanec's dwindling supply of turtlenecks.

- Alex Galchenyuk continues to dominate in the OHL and Charles Hudon is climbing the QMJHL scoring chart as Andrew Berkshire points out in his week 9 Overseas Habs and Prospects Report.

- With more on Galchenyuk, Neate Sager of Yahoo Sports writes how the Sarnia Sting captain is having an MVP type season. The video evidence is quite reassuring.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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Five Habs Questions Left Unanswered by the NHL Lockout

The Lockout Leaves Question Marks After A Disappointing Season

Just over two months have passed since the 2012-13 lockout officially started. The annual Winter Classic has been nixed and the All-Star game is sure to be next. The cancellation of the All-Star game shouldn't come as a shock to anybody. After all, how can there be stars without a season?

I've come to care less and less about the lockout as time goes by simply because, while I love the game, I refuse to let it take over my life.

Though I enjoy Saturday night games as much as the next fan, I've had little trouble moving on. Sure my "Mardi's" aren't nearly as "méchant" as I would like them to be, but I've had no trouble replacing these traditions with enjoyable new ones such as "Whiskey Wednesday's".

The thing that bothers me most about this lockout is that the absence of a season leaves too many questions unanswered. The Montreal Canadiens went through many changes during the summer and I — along with pretty much every other Hab fan — was looking forward to seeing what those changes would bring.

And with that, here are five questions regarding the Montreal Canadiens that have been left unanswered due to the ongoing lockout.

1. Are the Canadiens tough enough?

With the free agent signings of forwards Brandon Prust and Colby Armstrong along with the re-acquisition of defenseman Francis Bouillon, a large portion of the Habs fanbase immediately felt that the team would no longer be pushed around as easily as it has been for... well, as long as I can remember.

While Armstrong is not especially big, he doesn't shy away from throwing his body around, something that isn't done nearly enough by many Canadiens.

Bouillon's 5'8" 198 pound frame hardly screams heavyweight either but anybody who has seen him play knows his hits are hard and willingness to drop the gloves is borderline suicidal.

Prust, however, was the prize signing. After letting beloved tough guy Brad Staubitz leave via free agency after just 19 games, the Habs were in desperate need of a designated tough guy. With Prust in the lineup the Canadiens now have a player who can protect his teammates, cause problems for opposing players and occasionally pitch in offensively.

The question remains, are these three enough?

2. Is Andrei Markov back for good?

Unfortunately, as I write this Markov is injured in Russia. Markov has been playing for Vityaz Chekov in the KHL but left a game on October 26th with what was described as an "upper body" injury.

Markov would have been returning to the Montreal Canadiens at the beginning of the season after missing what seems like a kajillion games due to repeated knee injuries. With Markov healthy heading into September the Canadiens powerplay as well as their defensive zone breakout was guaranteed to improve drastically.

However, given his current predicament, it's hard to imagine that he would've lasted through the entire 2012-13 season.

In the end though, who really knows how thing's would've played out if he was back in a Habs uniform when the puck was supposed to drop.

3. Is David Desharnais for real?

One of the few positives to come out of the disastrous 2011-12 season was the emergence of David Desharnais as an efficient point producer. The argument can be — and has been — made that his success was due in large part to having Erik Cole and Max Pacioretty on his wings. Whether that's the case or not, the fact is Desharnais finished third on the team in scoring with 60 points.

With that 60 point season came constant debates on who is better between himself and Tomas Plekanec — cough, Plekanec, cough. Regardless, what seems clear is that Desharnais can play with the big boys.

This season would've shed light on Desharnais's true role and value. There is no doubt that he would've started the season with the same line mates but there were many out there wondering if the 5'7" 177 pound center could put up similar numbers in a season where opposing players would be more aware of him.

4. Is Michel Therrien the man for the job?

I'm quite tempted to just type "no" and move on. The reason I won't is Marc Bergevin.

Since Bergevin burst into the Habs hockey scene he has done nothing but better the organization. The one thing that may go against that statement is the hiring of Therrien. Seeing as how Bergevin has a Stanley Cup ring, though, and I don't I feel compelled to blast his choice just yet.

Therrien is mostly known in Montreal for his meltdown behind the Canadiens bench against the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2002 playoffs. Therrien took an unsportsmanlike penalty in a game the Canadiens were leading, eventually contributing to a devastating loss. The Hurricanes win tied the series at two and the 'Canes would go on to win the following two games earning a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.

People can change and there is a possibility that his reputation of demanding tough play and placing accountability on players could be just what this squad needs after a season where only a handful of players seemed motivated.

5. How will Alex Galchenyuk be handled?

The Montreal Canadiens' number one pick in the 2012 draft is quite possibly the silver lining to this lockout mess. After missing last season in Sarnia due to a knee injury, it seemed that another season in the OHL would be the best idea to further the prospects development.

Rene Bourque's surgery at the end of August was especially concerning. With a top-six nine forward expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks and Galchenyuk's skill — not to mention the hype surrounding him — I couldn't help but worry he would be rushed.

Sure, I have faith that the Canadiens development will improve drastically under the watch of Marc Bergevin. Yet, after years of watching talented young prospects be rushed and ruined by this organization, I couldn't help but worry about what would happen if Galchenyuk played well and was given a spot in the NHL right away.

Even if he were to be productive in a handful of games with the CH, I would still want him to play one more year with the Sting in order to better prepare for the main stage. So far, the lockout has proven beneficial for Galchenyuk who is currently tied for eighth in OHL scoring with 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 22 games.

With no NHL schedule, Galchenyuk can continue to succeed without any distracting debate over where he should be playing.

Without the 2012-13 season to answer these questions, what do you think:

1. Are the Canadiens tough enough?
2. What are your thoughts on Markov?
3. Is Desharnais for real?
4. Is Therrien the man for the job?
5. Will Galchenyuk really benefit from the lockout?

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Sean is a freelance writer currently contributing to HabsAddict.com. He is also a regular blogger and frequent panelist on the Habs post game show at MontrealHockeyTalk.com You can follow Sean on Twitter.

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