Report: NHL insider links Galchenyuk to Western Conference team

Since being eliminated in the first round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs by the New York Rangers, rumors have swirled around the entire Montreal Canadiens roster. Rumors of blockbuster trades and big money contracts is nothing new in Montreal, though. In fact, general manager Marc Bergevin had no problems shocking the hockey world by acquiring potential superstar Jonathan Drouin and shipping out underachieving defenseman Nathan Beaulieau. One NHL insider though, Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, thinks Bergevin may not be done wheeling and dealing.

Restricted free-agent Alex Galchenyuk needs a new contract for 2017-18 and seems to be at odds with team management. As a result, the talented 23 year-old is the subject of intense trade speculation, which Engels predicts will result in him ultimately being moved to the Minnesota Wild.

The return? Who knows, but Minnesota does have a plethora of available defensemen, especially when consider that they managed to spare Jonas Brodian, Matt Dumba and Marco Scandella from the Vegas Golden Knights. In any case, there’s also speculation that Galchenyuk ends up with the Islanders as part of a package deal. All of these reports are merely rumor at this point, but keep a close eye on Bergevin and the Habs as the offseason trade frenzy begins.