Canadiens hoping Galchenyuk can handle defensive responsibilities at center

The Montreal Canadiens are hoping to skate Alex Galchenyuk through center this season, but still remain wary of his abilities to handle defensive zone responsibilities, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. 

A natural center, Galchenyuk has been deployed primarily down the wing since the Canadiens drafted him third overall in 2012. 

Despite their reluctance to provide Galchenyuk with more heavy lifting, the Canadiens didn't necessarily shelter him last season. The wildly-skilled forward took just as many faceoffs in the defensive zone (31.3 percent) as he did in the opponent's end.