Alex Galchenyuk

Montreal Canadiens: Galchenyuk and Desharnais Getting Healthy

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:16 p.m. ET

Fansided, Kenric Mannette/FanSided via A Winning Habit

The Montreal Canadiens have two players that have started skating again, after being sidelined with injuries. Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais have been missed and the Habs could use a boost offensively.

The Montreal Canadiens caught the injury bug as they headed into their winter break. In the last few weeks the Habs have lost many key elements of their team. However, the Canadiens have recently gotten some good news on the injury front.

Forwards Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais both skated for the first time since they have been injured. Many were nervous as to how the Canadiens would produce offensively as they lost their number one center, in Galchenyuk. At the time of Galchenyuk’s injury, he had scored nine goals and 23 points in 25 games.

The Habs have been able to hold the fort offensively, but obviously needed Galchenyuk’s speed and creativity. Players like Phillip Danault and Tomas Plekanec have filled in on the top line, and have been good. However, they’re not elite level contributors, like Galchenyuk.

Galchenyuk returning alongside Alexander Radulov and Max Pacioretty would make one of the most dynamic scoring lines in the NHL. Sadly, Galchenyuk was hurt during the first game that the trio was put together. Galchenyuk may be a couple weeks away from a return, but its great news that he is skating again.

Desharnais Skating

Meanwhile, David Desharnais has struggled for much of the season before he was injured. Desharnais has scored just three goals and nine points in 25 games this season. Desharnais is well respected player in the Canadiens locker room, but he’s being outperformed by his team mates.

For example, Players like Torrey Mitchell, Brian Flynn, and Phillip Danault have all out played Desharnais offensively, and all are better defensively. All three of those players are Centers, and they are all better than Desharnais in the face-off circle.

#Habs updates/transparency! Galchenyuk & Desharnais skated for the 1st time today. Markov has a groin injury… Shaw rehabbing in Brossard!

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 27, 2016

Even a young player like Michael McCarron, who hasn’t found the score sheet much, still brings a lot more to the table than Desharnais. McCarron gives the Canadiens a bigger, stronger, and more aggressive bottom six Forward. Desharnais will have a hard time earning ice time at Center when he returns.

Final Thoughts

Even though Galchenyuk and Desharnais are both still a couple weeks away from returning, it’s nice to see them skating again. Galchenyuk’s return will give the Canadiens struggling Power Play a boost, as well as helping the Habs 5 on 5 play. Desharnais return may not have the same impact as Galchenyuk, but Desharnais could still carve out a useful role as a bottom six winger.