Music: {allcanada} THERRIEN PLEASED WITH GALCHENYUK

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

{allcanada} THERRIEN PLEASED WITH GALCHENYUK

The Montreal Gazette points out that the Buffalo Sabres may have sent Mikhail Grigorenko back to the Quebec Remparts, but Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said Alex Galchenyuk is staying in Montreal even if he is fighting his way through an offensive slump.

Therrien said the key for youngsters Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher is the ability to play at least 12 productive minutes a game and they have done that. And, while Galchenyuk has only one assist in his last 10 games, Therrien is happy with his progress. He's averaged 12:39 of ice time and has three goals and 10 assists.

"He's playing a mature game," Therrien said after the Canadiens practised in preparation for Tuesday's visit from the Buffalo Sabres. "Sometimes he'll miss a few things, but we'll sit down with him and show him. He's part of every power-play meeting and every penalty-kill meeting. We know he's going to be there and he's going to be ready."

Therrien said the 19-year-old is still adjusting to the jump from junior.

"He has a tendency to handle the puck too much and try to make the good play," said Therrien. "In the NHL, the play is so tight and the opening is so small and you have to see it. You always have to do the percentage play. It's part of the learning process. You have to accept what the other team is going to give you. When there's time, you have to make the play and where there isn't time, you can't force the play."