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Alex Galchenyuk inks two-year, $5.6 million bridge deal with Canadiens

Alex Galchenyuk inks two-year, $5.6 million bridge deal with Canadiens

Just when you thought the bridge contract in the NHL was dead the Montreal Canadiens go and sign RFA Alex Galchenyuk to a two-year deal. The 21-year old forward will carry a $2.8 million AAV in each of the next two seasons, per Pierre LeBrun.

Galchenyuk will remain an RFA and have arbitration rights after the deal is up.

From the Habs:

Galchenyuk, 21, played 80 games with the Canadiens in 2014-15. He set personal highs in goals (20), assists (26) and points (46). Three of his goals were tallied on the powerplay and scored one winning goal. The 6’01’’, 198-lbs forward maintained a +8 differential and was assessed 39 penalty minutes, while maintaining an average of 16:25 of ice time per game. Galchenyuk added four points (1 goal, 3 assists) and a +1 differential in 12 playoffs contests.

There was plenty of drama from Galchenyuk’s end of things in the lead up to a deal finally getting done. Remember the KHL “threat?” Or when the forward fired his long-time agent, Igor Larionov, and hired Pat Brisson? All in the past now that GM Marc Bergevin has signed up his young pivot.

With a deal done, now we can go back to wondering where Galchenyuk will play in the Canadiens’ lineup next season. He’s considered a center, but Bergevin cast doubts about that being his long-term role in the organization at his end-of-season presser. “I can’t tell when or if he’ll be a center,” he said.

He obviously found success on the wing this past season. And as Marc Dumont of Habs Eyes on the Prize broke down earlier this month, Galchenyuk’s done just fine when he’s been at center, despite Bergevin’s worries. If the Canadiens can upgrade their wingers, giving Galchenyuk a full-time role down the middle will serve them well as his continues his development.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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