Marc Bergevin reveals the player he really wanted to draft instead of Alex Galchenyuk in 2012

PUBLICATION

Julien Trekker
September 4, 2023 (3:51 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Hired a few weeks after the 2012 season, Marc Bergevin quickly had to make major decisions for the future of the organization as the Montreal Canadiens had the third overall pick in the draft. Difficult for fans to forget this selection as the Canadiens set their sights on young forward Alex Galchenyuk, who only played six seasons with the Montreal team before being traded to Arizona for Max Domi.

Although he never reached his full potential, the forward from SKA Saint Petersburg still had good moments during his time in Montreal. Indeed, the center accumulated a total of 109 goals and 147 assists (256 points) in 418 games wearing the Canadiens' jersey. However, after his departure, Galchenyuk's career took a rather disappointing turn, unable to establish himself as a top-line forward in the NHL.

However, in a recent column, journalist Mathias Brunet revealed significant information concerning Marc Bergevin's intentions for the 2012 draft. According to statements made by the former general manager of the Canadiens, Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly was the player he wanted to select at the time.

"Yes, I really liked Rielly. But I had just been hired on May 2nd, and my new staff liked Alex Galchenyuk a lot. I was with Chicago that season, and we were drafting later. We didn't waste our time with Galchenyuk, who was probably going to be picked early; plus, he had hardly played that winter. I looked at our center situation, we had David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec, and Chucky was considered as a center. You take the job, you haven't seen Galchenyuk play, and you're going to force them to pick another player? That's a good way to start a relationship. I let them choose. Besides, I agreed; I knew we needed center players. But I really liked Morgan Rielly." - Marc Bergevin

Wow! Imagine if Marc Bergevin had instead drafted Morgan Rielly, who was selected two spots later by the Maple Leafs. While Galchenyuk's NHL career is seemingly over, Rielly is still one of the best offensive defensemen in the league.

If only the former general manager had listened to his instincts and challenged his scouts, the Canadiens might have an elite defenseman in their organization today.

Morgan Rielly's stats for the last five seasons:

� 2018-2019: 20 goals and 52 assists (72 points) in 82 games
� 2019-2020: 3 goals and 24 assists (27 points) in 47 games
� 2020-2021: 5 goals and 30 assists (35 points) in 55 games
� 2021-2022: 10 goals and 58 assists (68 points) in 82 games
� 2022-2023: 4 goals and 37 assists (41 points) in 65 games