Canadiens will try to replace Galchenyuk internally

Wednesday, 01.08.2014 / 1:36 PM | Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

PHILADELPHIA -- Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said he expects there to be lots of internal competition to replace the production supplied by forward Alex Galchenyuk.

Galchenyuk, fourth on the team with 10 goals and 23 points, will miss six weeks with a broken hand sustained during a game Jan. 6 against the Florida Panthers.

Bergevin, speaking during the Canadiens' optional morning skate Wednesday prior to their game at Wells Fargo Center against the Philadelphia Flyers (7:30 p.m. ET, TSN), said he will look at the current roster for someone to step into Galchenyuk's role before investigating any trades.

"We always look within first," Bergevin said. "A player like Alex you don't, unless you want to give up the house, the farm, to replace him, it's impossible. You look at Tampa Bay when they lost [Steven] Stamkos … he's not Stamkos but I'm just saying. [Phoenix Coyotes captain] Shane Doan went out for a while. You don't replace these players. You just give more guys ice time and they have to come through for you."

Bergevin wasn't pointing at any particular player he hoped would raise his game; rather, he said he expects a number of players to step up.

"There's lot of guys, to be honest, across the board," he said. "Guys will be bumping up in the lineup to replace him. The coaching staff will decide who they put where."

One lineup decision already has been made with Peter Budaj starting in goal. One other that will have to be made regards forward George Parros. Parros was one of the players to skate Wednesday and said he's been cleared by doctors to return to the lineup. If Parros plays it would be his first game since sustaining his second concussion of the season, Dec. 14 against the New York Islanders.

"Cleared to play," he said. "I feel good. And I think we're a game-time decision. We'll see."

Parros, who has a minus-5 rating, one shot on goal and 42 penalty minutes in nine games, said there would be no restrictions if he played Wednesday.

"I wouldn't be cleared if I wasn't able to do everything I normally would be able to do," Parros said.

While the Canadiens had a few players on the ice, the Flyers stayed away from the rink Wednesday, the morning after their 3-2 win at the New Jersey Devils.

Here's how the lineups for each team could look Wednesday:

CANADIENS

Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Brendan Gallagher

Daniel Briere - Tomas Plekanec - Brian Gionta

Rene Bourque - Lars Eller - Brandon Prust

Travis Moen - Michael Bournival - George Parros

P.K. Subban - Josh Gorges

Andrei Markov - Alexei Emelin

Douglas Murray - Francis Bouillon

Peter Budaj

Carey Price

Scratched: Raphael Diaz