An updates on Alex Galchenyuk, Flames re-sign Micheal Ferland, Leafs sign Brad Boyes to PTO offer and much more in your NHL Canadian Corner.
Montreal Canadiens will move Alex Galchenyuk to center this season.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens will start this season with Alex Galchenyuk at center, which could result in David Desharnais shifting to the wing. The club also intends on naming a captain prior to the start of the season. Last season, the Canadiens skated with four alternate captains in Andrei Markov, Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interesting move by the Habs regarding Galchenyuk, as GM Marc Bergevin gave the impression last spring that Galchenyuk wasn’t ready to shift to center. As for the captaincy, I think it could go to Pacioretty. Markov is aging and only has a couple of years left on his contract, Plekanec is eligible next summer for UFA status and the coaching staff might prefer Pacioretty’s low-key style over Subban’s outgoing personality.
CALGARY SUN: The Flames re-sign restricted free agent winger Micheal Ferland to a two-year, one-way deal worth $825K per season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a fair bridge deal for both sides. Ferland gets a slight pay raise but also the security of a one-way deal, while the Flames get more time to evaluate him without overpaying for the privilege.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs are bringing winger Brad Boyes to training camp on a professional tryout offer. Boyes is a former first-round Leafs pick, but this is the first time he’ll actually skate with the club. He joins Devin Setoguchi and Curtis Glencross, who are also attending the Leafs training camp on a tryout basis.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the Leafs rebuilding process, all three stand a good chance of earning roster spots for the upcoming season.
SPORTNET: Connor McDavid has yet to play his first real game with the Edmonton Oilers, but the 2015 first-overall draft pick is already having a positive effect upon the Oilers’ economics.
THE PROVINCE: Canucks prospect forward Hunter Shinkaruk hopes to make this a September to remember.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: The Jets have announced their full broadcast schedule for the upcoming season.
OTTAWA SUN: Daniel Alfredsson’s role with the Senators’ front office could be a part-time one this season until his family moves back to Ottawa.
Pretty interesting that it will leave only 6 Leafs (that will actually play) that have contracts for longer than 2 years Komarov Phaneuf Bozak Lupul Gardiner…and 2 or 3 of those players I dont expect will be back 1 way or another to start next season thru buy out trade for a shorter worse contract or fingers crossed for nothing more than later picks…going down the road its starting to look like cap wise the Leafs could actually be one of the more flexible teams….welcome to the twilight zone.
Tim Gleasons buy out is going to hang around longer than 3/4s of the Leafs roster.
Just remain patient Leaf fans. It appears the Leafs have realized sometimes the only way back up is to reach rock bottom. It looks to be a rough season next year. It looks as if that is intended. So just be patient and if the leafs suddenly exceed expectations don’t allow that to create expectations for the following year. Stay the coarse develop from with in and get some quality draft picks.
I caught that Bergevin interview on XM91. I got the impression the 1st player bumped at C to accommodate Galchenyuk being moved to C was Eller moving to LW. That would leave me to believe Galchenyuk would C the 3rd line behind Desharnais & Plekanec. Desharnais has made a good complement to Pacthes but with Patches not ready to start the season it will be interesting to see Therrien’s plan.
no way galchenyuk is gonna be on the third line way to skilled for that plekanac will move to the third line or desharnais will be moved to the wing
Six in one half dozen in the other claimed or demoted its relatively full salary off the books if anything the bonus would be one less contract if it was to make room.
Toronto currently has 14 forwards signed to 1 way contracts & all require waivers. Obviously Horton will be put on LTIR at some point but if anyone of Setogucci, Boyes or Glencross is signed it will mean waving I assume in the following order Arcobello, Panik or Beck.
I was told McDavid changes nothing in Edmonton. It seems he is changing everything.
Morning everyone, it’s been a long summer without hockey, glad to see it return and hope everyone had a great summer!
The way that the Toronto roster is shaping up, have to think a forward or two will be moved for some or all of these ptos. I love the scorched earth rebuild that is being done. All these one year deals and ptos should mean deadline deals for some picks. Keep this train going! I would love to see Toronto move bozak sooner rather than later to open up a spot for the ptos. By doing that and putting Horton on ltdi, to Toronto can start taking salary back from teams for picks (a la backstrom).