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What I don't fully understand is why it's up to Bergevin to decide these things. If you have a player like Pacioretty, you know he's a left wing. If you have a player like Getzlaf/Toews, you know they are centermen. Players like Drouin and Galchenyuk have played both positions throughout their careers and so it's not as clear cut a situation. I'll be the first to admit that the main reason I was willing to include Galchenyuk in a deal that sent a bonafide center back our way was simply because the narrative seemed to be changing from "Galchenyuk could be a versatile player who could play a variety of positions" to "this Galchenyuk position thing is becoming a distraction". Some have pointed out that they are happy with Bergevin putting it to rest and to an extent I can understand that perspective. What I would much rather, however, is hear Julien be the one with such a firm stance. He seems to have a similar opinion but has also still left the door open by stating that it's the coach's job to have options and if that involves playing Galchenyuk at center in the future, so be it. I'm all over the place on the topic because I would request that Bergevin and Julien communicate when it comes to their vision of where players fit in the lineup. That makes it a lot easier for Bergevin to assess what holes need to be filled throughout the lineup. On the other hand, there's nothing worse than someone breathing down your neck and telling you how to do your job. I'm saying it now that when injuries come up or even if they don't we might end up seeing Galchenyuk at center again this season. It is a lot more difficult to do that however, when your GM and boss has made such a firm claim that he doesn't belong there. I watch every game and while I'm not going to argue that Galchenyuk is the best defensive center in the league or even close to it, I don't think he absolutely destroys our team with his defensive play. Furthermore, as CC wrongly () theorized, Bergevin has constructed a team with solid defensive minded players and so if any team could cover for Galchenyuk, it would be us. Finally, I watched a half hour show on NHL Chanel and the topic went from Bergevin's comments about Galchenyuk to what Nico Herschier and Philly's new center prospect, Nolan Patrick, would have to do to excel with their respective teams at center at such a young age after Bergevin's comments about Galchenyuk. What does it take to be an effective center, was the question. Mike Rupp, who I don't exactly agree with on everything ignored the Galchenyuk topic but immediately claimed that Devil's prospect Hischier and Philly's prospect were in different boats. He said that the Devil's struggle with scoring and so if he was Hischier coach he would simply say "go play offense, kid". Philly on the other hand has a player like Giroux and so their young prospect may need to play a better 200 foot game in order to show his worth to the team. The Habs have not had a Giroux and have had trouble scoring and so I personally feel as though (in the past) Galchenyuk should have been given a longer leash. We're not a team that struggles defensively in general and so it seems to be the wrong way of treating an offensively gifted kid. I agree and to me it's actually the main reason that I would feel comfortable with having acquired another top 6 center. If Plekanec can return to form, which is such a massive if, then a team with Drouin, Plekanec and Danault up the middle is probably not the worst depth wise at center in the league, truth be told. I see Toews, Gezlaf, Thornton, Malkin, Kopitar and so many others out there though and wish we had a center like that on this team. Even Johanssen has some size. On the other hand, I've seen Drouin outplay Crosby in the past in some individual matchups. Crosby also doesn't have size on his side but is still the best all-round player in the league.

Well, Drouin is an elite youngster with explosive potential. In hockey terms, he's a huge asset. He is also a gigantic PR asset who will help MB keep his job irrespective of middling team results - no doubt a major priority. The double standard is pretty irksome, however. If Drouin had done to MB what he did to Yzerman, he'd have been run out of town long ago. But now he's a franchise cornerstone of outstanding character

I am so tired of Bergevin and his cronies with their fossilized thinking. Plus, their drafting and development of Zamboni drivers has been substandard.