Galchenyuk to Pittsburgh for Kessel: A good trade both ways

Alex Galchenyuk with the Phoenix Coyotes. Credit: NHL.com

Well, the discussion can finally be closed.

The Montreal Canadiens win the Alex Galchenyuk trade.

After much speculation as to his future with the team, on June 15^th of last year, the Habs traded the former 3^rd overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Max Domi. At the time, the trade was criticized heavily by fans as Galchenyuk had just come off a 30-goal season with the team, while Domi had just 18 goals over the past 2 seasons. It was thought that the Coyotes got a young future star Center in exchange for a struggling, 3^rd line 23-year-old.

Instead, the roles reversed.

Domi went on to record a career high 72 points, becoming the offensive leader for the Canadiens, while Galchenyuk recorded just 41 points, being demoted to the 4^th line at one point. By then, fans were already celebrating a victory, but now,

It’s definitive. Canadiens win, for once.

For the Coyotes, in exchange for Galchenyuk (and minor league defenseman Pierre Olivier Joseph) they receive minor league defenseman Dane Birks, a foruth round pick, and Phil Kessel, the former 5^th overall pick and 2-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After a decent career with the Boston Bruins and Maple Leafs, Kessel was traded to the Penguins on July 1^st 2015, in exchange for a mix of prospects and a 3^rd and 1^st round pick. After a shaky first year with the club, he would increase the point totals in each of the 3 seasons following, with a career high 92 points in 2017-18.

Kessel played a large part in the Penguins back to back Stanley Cup Championships. Credit: Getty Images

As was previously mentioned, this marks the end of what was mostly a bitter and confusing year for Galchenyuk. As well as having heavy expectations placed upon him, hoping to lead what was a very underpowered team offense wise, comprised of mostly late first round picks who were underdeveloped, the American born forward clashed with head coach Rick Tocchet, who’s hard nosed, defensive style of play was in essence the complete opposite of how Galchenyuk played.

In many ways, this trade reflects both teams’ situations pretty well. Despite most being just past their primes, the Pittsburgh Penguins are still in a pretty good situation roster wise, with players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continuing to produce great offensive numbers. The benefit of having players like Crosby and Malkin, though is line mates that can benefit from them. Jake Guenztel is a great example of this, and it’s likely Pittsburgh hopes they can replicate this with Galchenyuk.

If his past seasons have shown us anything, its that Alex Galchenyuk can’t generate offense on his own consistently. He needs decent line mates to feed him the puck and make use of his great shot. In Arizona, he didn’t have this, as the team’s leading scorer, Clayton Keller, had just 47 points. Whether it works out or not remains to be seen, however I can respect the risk the Penguins are taking in making this trade, showing they have faith in players to back up those who cant keep up. If it does work, I could easily see Galchenyuk recording his first 60-point season. If it doesn’t, don’t be surprised if he ends up on the 4^th line again, or on a new team altogether.

As for the Coyotes, this trade suggests a deviation from their previous game plan, as a new owner and higher cap hit means more room for big name players. In the past, the Coyotes lack of proper financial resources led to the team mainly being constructed of first round “projects”, draft busts or underwhelming players they’d hope they could resurrect. Aside from a few instances though (Christian Fischer) it didn’t really work out, and the team struggled to stay competitive. With this, it shows their playing hardball a bit more. After just barely missing the playoffs this past year, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the Coyotes go more all in as it were to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Unlike Galchenyuk, Phil Kessel can generate offense on his own, and has the potential to be an 80 point player even without decent line mates, as was seen in Toronto. With Clayton Keller as his set up man, we could see an interesting tandem here akin to Anthony Duclair and the previously mentioned Domi. If it does work, I could easily see Kessel putting up 85 points, if it doesn’t, well you get 60 points anyways, so, it’s a win either way.

Does that mean this trade is a win for the Coyotes though? Well, I think Pittsburgh knew they were getting the short end of the stick on this trade now, but their hoping they can turn it around in the future. Kessel has at least 3 more years on him before he starts slowing down, especially with his physique, while Galchenyuk is still young at 25. However, one’s guaranteed scoring, the other not so much, so it’s swings and roundabouts.

In the end, it’s a good trade on both sides, but for the Canadiens especially, it’s finally,

A confirmed steal.