For the first time in his career, Alex Galchenyuk will skate under the bright lights of the Bell Centre as a member of the visiting team on Wednesday night.
Selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens at the 2012 NHL Draft, the then 18-year-old star was labeled as a blue-chip prospect that many thought would undoubtedly be a part of the team's long-term plan.
Despite posting 108 goals and 255 points in 418 career games for hockey's winningest franchise, Galchenyuk had trouble taking the next step in Montreal, a city that expects excellence from the Habs.
"I never felt pressure from the media," Galchenyuk told the Canadian Press. "It was just normal. I thought it was like (how) it's supposed to be."
Six years later, the Sarnia Sting product found himself traded from one of hockey's hotbeds to one of hockey's hottest cities. The Arizona Coyotes acquired Galchenyuk from Montreal in exchange for winger Max Domi.
The swap has granted both players a fresh start, but as is the case with many trades, the two have become inexorably linked - a notion that Galchenyuk is quick to dismiss.
"Everybody's their own player," he said. "Max is doing great and I'm happy for him, but we're two completely different players. I can't really compare myself to what he's doing."
In 38 games for the Coyotes, Galchenyuk has tallied eight goals and 25 points, despite a 16-game goal drought in which he recorded just four assists.
"I always put pressure on myself to be productive," Galchenyuk said. "That's my job, to create offense. When I came to Arizona, it stayed the same."
Galchenyuk is unsure of the response he will receive from the crowd at the Bell Centre, but he has no hard feelings towards his former club and the success they've found this season.
"I have a lot of great friends in Montreal," he said. "I'm definitely happy they're doing good."
Despite hovering around the .500 mark, the Coyotes find themselves just four points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday's action.
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