Columbus Blue Jackets Center Alternatives without Matt Duchene

Alex Galchenyuk

The 23-year-old has had some ups and downs in Montreal. Playing in a tough place like that, the pressure that comes from playing for the Habs has led to high expectations that Alex Galchenyuk hasn’t lived up too.

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There have been stories of Montreal and Galchenyuk parting ways and Columbus would be a landing spot. The Wisconsin native could step in and be a good second-line center for the Jackets.

His $4.9 million cap hit is well worth it, especially if he can get back to scoring 20 or more goals a season. He has eclipsed that total twice in the last three years, including a 30-goal season in 2015-2016.

Montreal could be in rough shape this season and need to commit to a rebuild. Defensive prospects are thin after shipping Mikhail Sergachev to Tampa this offseason.

The Jackets have some picks and prospects they could package to entice the Canadiens if they are out of the playoff race early.