Columbus Blue Jackets Option Without Duchene: Alex Galchenyuk
The rumors of the Columbus Blue Jackets acquiring Matt Duchene have cooled down. Another option for the Blue Jackets is to look at acquiring Montreal Canadien, Alex Galchenyuk.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are still looking to acquire a center and the best way to do so is via trade. The top trade target for the Blue Jackets has to be Matt Duchene, but it looks like Colorado has set the price too high for the Jackets to bite.
With Colorado asking so much, Columbus needs to look for other options, and Alex Galchenyuk seems to be the next option. Montreal has reportedly put the 23-year-old center on the trading block.
Galchenyuk had 44 points with 17 goals and 27 assists last season. This is very good output for a young centerman, but Galchenyuk has not been a natural fit at center, so he may have to move to the wing which is a position of depth for Columbus.
Along with giving up assets to acquire Galchenyuk, they would have to sign him to an extension since he is a restricted free agent. This would mean Columbus would add another negotiation along with Alexander Wennberg and Josh Anderson.
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This is another hurdle that the Blue Jackets would have to jump over for Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk is a gamble for the Blue Jackets. This gamble will cost a lot to the Blue Jackets and will not be worth it.
Columbus would be better staying put than making a move for the sake of making a move. There is still all summer for a move to be made, so Columbus should stand pat until the right move comes to light.
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While Columbus still has a talented roster, waiting also takes away from Colorado’s leverage. The Avalanche are in a tough position with Duchene so they will be bringing on a distraction if he is not traded. Columbus waiting it out could save them crucial assets that Colorado is trying to pry away.