Things are not going well for forward Alex Galchenyuk and the Montreal Canadiens. The third selection at the 2012 NHL Draft has not responded to head coach Claude Julien’s demands when he was briefly promoted to the first line on the latest West coast trip against the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. In Anaheim, despite 61 shots on goal by the Canadiens, Galchenyuk managed to get only one shot. For Julien, this was unacceptable. Yesterday, the player was on the fourth line with recently recalled Mike McCarron and Nikita Scherbak.
According to Larry Brooks from the NY Post rumors are circling for the New York Rangers to make a move to get more offense. Brooks proposed a move that could bring Galchenyuk in New York in a potential trade involving either Mats Zucarello or Chris Kreider.
The Rangers have also their fair share of difficulties this season. They are 2-6-2 and have lost last night to the San Jose Sharks, 4-1.
Galchenyuk has no goals yet this season and seems uninterested to play for the Habs anymore. Despite a new three-year-contract signed during the summer, Galchenyuk has clearly showed he is not interested to play in a Montreal uniform anymore.
Niemi on waivers, then claimed by the Panthers
The opportunity for Antti Niemi to successfully replace Marc-André Fleury, now with the Golden Knights failed yesterday when the veteran goaltender was placed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. today, he was claimed before the noon deadline by the Florida Panthers who have veteran Roberto Luongo injured with a hand injury.
Niemi this season with the Pittsburgh Penguins had no wins and three losses while cumulating a goals-against average of 7.50 and a save percentage at .797. He will likely act as the backup for James Reimer until Luongo returns. This claim may mean Luongo’s hand injury is more serious than initially expected.
