The constant debate about Alex Galchenyuk vs David Desharnais has been happening for awhile now. The sentiments “Galchenyuk needs to be in the middle,” and “Trade Desharnais, he’s stifling Chucky’s development” are constantly tweeted and shared on social media.

I honestly don’t see it that way. Desharnais and Galchenyuk are two very different players with different frames and skill sets.

David Desharnais
5’7” 176lbs
82gp, 14 Goals, 35 Assists, +22
1189 FOT, 629 W, 560 L, 52.9%
Note: 30^th among active centres with more than 1,000 facoffs taken

Alex Galchenyuk
6’1” 200lbs
80GP, 20 Goals, 26 Assists, +8
174 FOT, 82 Wins, 92 Losses, 47.1%

Pretty similar stat lines, except Desharnais took 7x more face-offs.  Desharnais also has a 52.9% win rate. While that 5% doesn’t seem like a lot, those 100 extra face off losses could sometimes mean the difference between a goal against, or a breakout into the opponents’ zone.

A guy like Desharnais is very good at getting low on the face off, something a 6’1″ Galchenyuk would have difficulty with. That 2-4 seconds it provides Desharnais’ line mates when he ties up the center opposing can do a lot to create a goal scoring opportunity. Galchenyuk works and moves better when he is given time to set up, much like Max Pacioretty. Keeping Galchenyuk as a winger gives him more time to get creative.

While it has been refuted and denied, the fan base seems to think that Michel Therrien and Marc Bergevin aren’t giving him a chance at centre. I, for one, think they are trying to protect him and use his skills to the rest of his linemates’ advantage.

He is a terrific set up man and one of the most creative play makers to come to the Habs in a long time. He won’t get bullied in the corners and has more freedom to make plays. He’s still young, remember.

There is also a lot more pressure playing centre in front of the home crowd as a young player than playing the wing. With more responsibility it seems like Galchenyuk gets stumped and tries to create these intricate plays that aren’t gonna fly when you have a 6’5″ 250lb defenceman charging at you like a freight train. It’s a lot different than the juniors.

As far as the Habs go, they are deep at centre as it is with Plekanec, Eller, Desharnais, Mitchell, De La Rose, Flynn as well as Gabriel Dumont, Jeremy Gregoire and Joonas Nattinen in the prospect pool.

De La Rose and Flynn can – and will – move to the wing. That still leaves four NHL ready centres who have played that position for most of their career. There isn’t much need to rush. Keep in mind that if we trade Desharnais you also lose his 49 points from an already offensively weak forward corps.

I know you’re all still thinking: “Let’s just trade Desharnais, Galchenyuk is much better.” We drafted him 3^rd overall for a reason. None of us here are GMs or NHL coaches. Let us sit back and watch what Bergevin and company have planned. They aren’t purposely sabotaging his career. He has, however, come a long way since that timid, almost robot like, rookie we saw three years ago. He’s been on the wing for 80% of his young career, keeping him there a little longer won’t stunt his growth.

I know a lot of people will argue with me and say I’m wrong. Jump to the comments, I love hearing what the fan base has to say, or throw me a follow on Twitter: @ShogunxHD.

Thanks for reading.