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BUFFALO SABRES
This is the one team that was discussed on Saturday’s Headlines.
“I do think Buffalo was one of the teams that looked at him,” Friedman said. “I’m sure there’s more. But Galchenyuk is someone who could be finding a new home.”
Friedman added on Monday that “moving him is something that has been discussed I think for a few weeks now.”
The Sabres are one of those teams with a clear need for help up front and some tradable assets on defence, though we wouldn’t expect Galchenyuk would demand a Rasmus Ristolainen or Colin Miller return.
Casey Mittelstadt, a 21-year-old centre taken eighth overall in 2017, has struggled with just nine points this season and was made a healthy scratch for Sunday’s game versus Edmonton. He also wouldn’t likely be used in this trade, but given the circumstances it’s at least possible Mittelstadt could be sent down to the AHL for further development, opening up a spot for a new body.
It’s not clear if Galchenyuk could be used in a centre position here, or even in a top-six role because of his lacklustre defensive play. Buffalo has the 14th-ranked offence in the NHL and, since their fast start, have won just five of their past 18 games.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
Honestly, the Kings are here just because they could use any kind of infusion of youth and natural scoring ability and Galchenyuk would at least tick those boxes. Los Angeles has the lowest shots against rate in the league so the defensive base is at least in place, but their offence ranks 30th so perhaps Galchenyuk could be free to just worry about trying to get some offence going.
The trouble is his contract doesn’t allow the Kings a plan to move forward with at this time and, really, playoffs are out of the question for 2020 anyway. They seem more likely to be trading out NHL players for future assets, but maybe how this gets accomplished. The Kings are one of the few teams that could absorb Galchenyuk’s full cap hit so what if he is used as, more or less, a salary dump, and the Kings can pick up some other longer-term asset to take a chance on?
Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Canada’s most beloved game.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Things have turned for the Hurricanes. Where they were once an excellent shot-generating offence that couldn’t score, their shot metrics have remained strong (third-most high danger chances at 5-on-5), and they currently have the 11th-best goals per game rate. But they still have tremendous depth on the NHL team and in the organization on the blue line with a need to add some offence to their forward units. Again, we’re not talking about a top prospect having to go to Pittsburgh in return, but perhaps the Canes could find Galchenyuk useful in a bottom-six role.
The other thing to ponder here is how this deal could potentially get bigger between the two teams. Petr Mrazek hasn’t been great (.903 save percentage) but James Reimer has been of late (.918). Still, you’d think Carolina could do better at the position if the opportunity presented itself, and Pittsburgh is sitting with Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith (currently in the AHL) as two excellent netminders. DeSmith may be the more likely of the two to move at this point, and he’s signed for another two seasons. Maybe there’s a way for Carolina to upgrade their net in a Galchenyuk move.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Much like the Kings, Anaheim has virtually no hope at the playoffs this season and have an eye on the future. The Ducks are also one of those few teams that can take on all of Galchenyuk’s cap, so they may be able to use this trade to also acquire another pick or fringe prospect as the real target piece.
And if the Ducks fall further and further from the playoff picture as the season develops, it may get to a similar point as last season where GM Bob Murray decides some of his younger, non-waiver eligible players may be better served in the AHL as opposed to losing regularly at the NHL level. We’re talking Max Comtois or Troy Terry. Maybe Sam Steel. In that instance, if the Ducks also get another asset in the deal, Galchenyuk could come in and play pro minutes down a meaningless stretch and walk to free agency. The Ducks would get more development time for a player they otherwise may have to play in the NHL.