It seems that every year we write about the league's most frequent flyer, Alex Galchenyuk.
From the moment his feuds with Canadiens organization began, Galchenyuk has been passed around the National Hockey League like a blunt at a Cheech and Chong concert. The epitome of a deadline rental has, despite recent success, yet to find a permanent home.
Acquired by Toronto on 15 February in exchange for failed prospect Yegor Korshkov and veteran AHL defenceman David Warsofsky, the Maple Leafs to some extent got the 27-year-old for free. Galchenyuk won the hearts of Leafs Nation fairly quickly, putting in phenomenal effort night in and night out, and forming a strong chemistry with John Tavares and William Nylander. Galchenyuk ended up with 12 points in 26 games, and could’ve easily had more with better puck luck.
Then, after a strong playoff performance (minus the Game 5 turnover) where he had 4 points in 7 games playing on a mismatched line, Galchenyuk seemingly had found a home with the Maple Leafs.
Until free agency began.
Zach Hyman and Frederik Andersen’s obvious departures. Petr Mrázek and Michael Bunting in, Zach Bogosian and Nic Petan out.
Radio silence on Alex Galchenyuk.
Initially seeming to be an obvious candidate to return, that feeling of certainty shifted to doubt as the days trickled onwards. Then came, in most people's eyes, the final nail in Galchenyuk’s Toronto coffin.
The acquisition of Ondrej Kaše.
When Ondrej was signed, most Leafs fans speculated on where he will play, his obvious concussion issues, and the probabilities of the 25 year old returning to 20 goal form which he held with the Anaheim Ducks. Others, such as myself, knew that a Galchenyuk re-signing was officially out of the question.
It’s not a question of “Is Galchenyuk good enough?”. It’s a question of “How would he fit?”
Jason Spezza, the ageless wonder? Absolutely not.
Nick Ritchie? Why would you sign a guy to make 2.5 against the cap to scratch him. No.
Wayne Simmonds? Toronto finally solved their grit issue, why would they backtrack? No.
Enter Ilya Mikheyev.
It’s no secret the beloved Russian winger has struggled since his traumatic wrist injury. The once adored “Souperman” has turned into an offensive black hole, stemming from his non-existent shot. My father often jokes about his dreadful release, saying that Mikheyev “couldn’t hit the side of a barn from six feet away”, and after watching 66 games of post-wrist injury Mikheyev (where he has only scored 7 goals, one of which came off of his shoulder), that isn’t a far-fetched comparison.
However,
Mikheyev is underappreciated by many. The Russian can’t shoot, and his hands can’t keep up with his brain, however his skating is top notch, and his large frame and defensive ability, if adequately used, can make a phenomenal shutdown line if he’s played with Kämpf and Simmonds. Galchenyuk can’t provide that level of shutdown defence, nor can he fill the roles that Mikheyev can.
I’m going to speak in the most blunt way possible. As much as it stings to hear, as painful as it is, it’s the obvious truth.
Galchenyuk is gone.