The Montreal Canadiens traded Alex Galchenyuk to the Arizona Coyotes for Max Domi. Admittedly, this trade permeated the rumor mills for months and had been on again and off again several times. This is why it naturally happens on a Friday night when no one saw it coming.
This trade impacts both teams in ways seen and unseen. Let’s take a look at what this could mean.
What Alex Galchenyuk Means To Arizona
Galchenyuk tallied 30 goals two years ago as a center and won nearly 48% of his face-offs. The center had over 200 shots on net. He produced like a top-six forward with number one line potential when it came to creating scoring chances. When Claude Julien took over, there were changes. Last season, he shot at less than a 9% clip. That is likely to trend upward.
Even then, the center provided the ability to make plays and set players up even in the toughest of competition. A change in scenery allows Galchenyuk the ability to re-learn the center position in a different environment. He projects out to be a second line center in Arizona with extensive power play time a definite possibility. Could he be paired with a Clayton Keller perhaps? That is also plausible.
Galchenyuk plays the game a different way and will make some mistakes. Arizona expects to allow him to grow into the role and pressure is lower with the Coyotes. The young talent in the desert should benefit the 24-year-old and give Arizona a boost.
Projections And Outlook — Alex Galchenyuk
With a career high of 56 points, could Galchenyuk exceed that? That is a maybe. Arizona has a good bit of speed on the wings. They excelled during the second half with better 5 on 5 offense. Their weakness was still special teams (26th at 16.9%).
Furthermore, he will see improved goaltending and defense in front of him. The second halves of Montreal and Arizona could not have been more opposite. The key point is Gachenyuk gains a chance to play without fear of benching or lesser minutes and linemates.
What Max Domi Means To Montreal
Domi’s rookie season dared Arizona to dream of a long future there but the next two seasons were anything but. Injuries hampered the forward in his second season causing him to miss 23 games. His broken hand, suffered during a fight, never fully healed right. The result was nine goals in 59 games. However, his ability to be physical with some speed still intrigued other teams — including Montreal.
Last season was even worse for Domi. Domi scored just nine times with 45 points in 82 games. The shooting percentage further dipped to 6%. Early in the season, the forward could not hit the back of the net at all. Three goals in the first 55 games raised some red flags. However, Domi persevered even in his slump. He was able to generate more chances over the final third of the season.
That will be important now in Montreal where he will garner ice time with players like Brendan Gallagher who can get to the front of the net and score. Montreal is counting on the Domi from his rookie season more than what most saw the previous two years.
Projections And Outlook — Max Domi
Domi is still only 23-years old and did have 19 points in the final 22 games of the 2017-18 season. Does that hot stretch translate to Montreal? Montreal’s difficulties scoring were well documented despite chances created. Domi’s finishing ability must return along with the passing that appeared over the final two months in Arizona.
Can Domi improve his lackluster power play production? Possibilities indicate that the forward could see increased special teams time. He had just five goals with the man advantage in three seasons. That number should tick upward a bit with different utilization. Domi could top 50 points and easily if the goal scoring touch returns in any way.
The key will be what other transactions may come. Domi will be tried at center at some point and may stick there. His average possession metrics should trend up slightly. However, his ceiling is expected to be lower than Galchenyuk’s.
