Detroit Red Wings: 5 Free Agents to sign this offseason
By Bob Heyrman
Alex Galchenyuk
The Detroit Red Wings provide the perfect opportunity for a player like Alex Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk is another widely traveled forward in recent years, spending time with four different franchises since 2018.
Galchenyuk broke into the NHL as an 18-year old with the Montreal Canadiens, where he saw plenty of success. He was selected third overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Level Draft; he recorded nine goals and 27 points in 48 games as a rookie.
It was his third season where Galchenyuk found his scoring touch recording 20 goals as a 20-year old, and then he followed that up with 30 as a 21-year old. The now 26-year old has failed to record another 20-goal season since, but he’s achieved 19 two separate times.
The Detroit Red Wings have plenty of room on their roster for a player like Galchenyuk in their top-six. Galchenyuk can use Detroit as a way to rejuvenate his career on a short-term deal. If Detroit could ink Galchenyuk to a one-year deal worth $4-million or so, he could be a perfect piece the Red Wings could deal at the trade deadline for future assets. Even if Detroit is forced to sign him to a two-year deal, the same idea remains in place, but a deal a year later if he’s performing well. At this point, Detroit has nothing but time.
This season between Pittsburgh and Minnesota, Galchenyuk has scored just eight goals and recorded 24 points in 59 games played. He’s averaged a career-low 12:18 of ice-time per night, and his Corsi For Percentage sits a touch below average at 49.2. He’s averaged 50.2 throughout his career.