Galchenyuk moved to top line in Julien's return to Canadiens practice
Well, that didn't take long.
Claude Julien wasted no time putting his stamp on the Montreal Canadiens, bumping Alex Galchenyuk up to the first line Friday in the head coach's first practice since he was re-hired immediately following Michel Therrien's firing earlier this week.
Julien's highly anticipated return in Canadiens colors generated just a bit of attention.
Fans are 6-7 deep at Bell Complexe Sportif to watch beginning of Julien's second tour of duty with #Habs. And it doesn't start for a bit. pic.twitter.com/4fLauabhzC
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 17, 2017
Galchenyuk was never fully embraced as a first-liner or a full-time center under Therrien, but he was thrust in between Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov on the top unit Friday.
Julien was re-hired by the Canadiens after being fired by the Boston Bruins last week. He returns to the club that gave him his first NHL head-coaching gig in 2003 and employed him in that role for nearly three years.
He spent nearly 10 seasons with the Bruins after a brief stint with the New Jersey Devils.
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