Quoting: mhockey91
What you are getting in duchene is a true first line centre. Yes he had a bad year but look at how bad Colorado was. This is a guy that’s proven he can score at a 70 point level in the NHL. He’s an Olympic gold medallist but has suffered in a terrible Colorado team. What has galchenyuk done? He’s certainly no where near the talent duchene has. And galchenyuk has an all time low trade value too. Habs managment / coaching are ripping him left and right. Dude is a natural centre and they’re playing him at any position but that. Julsson, while good, is not a “top d prospect” that Sakic is looking for. And a late first round pick isn’t anything special either. I think this trade is spot on. And if habs were to pull this trade... I bet majority of habs fans would be thrilled with it
So its ok to undervalue Galchenyuk but not Duchene?
Excuse me but Duchene is older, more expensive and signed to less term. Duchene is good player but he is not even a #1 center on his team and even in the season where he took the most faceoffs in his career he'd be ranked only 33rd by 16-17 numbers.
Duchene is not a #1 center because if he was, he'd of been traded already. Problem is no one wants to pay #1 prices for a very good #2 center. Same applies here.
Galchenyuk is being ripped no differently then Duchene has been these past couple years in Colorado. Only thing is Gally is younger and still developing his overall game. Duchene had three seasons under his belt before Gally played his first game in the NHL. The trajectory is there for Galchenyuk but he needs time. Just as many players do. He has the offensive ability as he showed he was able to score 30 goals playing center a couple years ago, (A stat Duchene only accomplished at an older age) but alas he plays in MTL so the spotlight is constantly shown on him.
Regardless of anything though, find another trade where a high end talented roster player, a top prospect and a 1st was traded and what it was for. Take that player and compare them to Duchene and see why this would never work.
Like I said, had Duchene be coming off back to back 70 pt seasons I might agree with you but no not after the sh**show hes had the past couple years. If you going to blame the team then the same would apply to Landeskog and Mackinnon yet they are not being held as accountable as Duchene apparently has been. Why is that?