Domi brings energy, speed to Canadiens

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Canadiens have shown for a third straight year that they are willing to shake up their roster with a big trade.

Montreal acquired forward Max Domi from the Arizona Coyotes for forward Alex Galchenyuk on Friday. Domi signed a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.15 million, the Canadiens announced Saturday.
"By long term, short term, I think we're a different team, different look," Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said Saturday. "We did want to make some changes, and that's part of it. I like what he brings. He plays a fast game, he plays with energy, he moves the puck well, and he wants to play in Montreal, so that means a lot for us."
RELATED: *[Domi traded to Canadiens by Coyotes for Galchenyuk*]
The trade came one year to the day the Canadiens acquired forward Jonathan Drouin from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade that cost Montreal its top prospect, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. Montreal acquired Shea Weber from the Nashville Predators for P.K. Subban in a trade of two of the NHL's elite defensemen on June 29, 2016.
Domi was chosen by Arizona in the first round (No. 12) of the 2013 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old son of former NHL forward Tie Domi had 135 points (36 goals, 99 assists) in 222 games in three seasons with the Coyotes, with 45 points (nine goals, 36 assists) in 82 games this season.

"He's got energy, he competes every shift," Bergevin said. "There were times last year where he had a tough time, I admit it. We watched him and there were nights we were wondering. But I think the package, what's underneath that rock, I think there's a lot more there. The fact there's a change of address, he comes to a place where he wants to be, I believe he'll thrive in this market."
Galchenyuk, 24, was selected by Montreal in the first round (No. 3) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Bergevin's first pick as Canadiens GM.
"I believe we did everything to help Alex," Bergevin said. "I believe he has produced, his career's not a failure. Players do move, he's not going to be the first guy that does that."
The Canadiens have the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas on Friday.
"To me it's a fun time of year," Bergevin said. "It's busy, sleep is going to be hard to get next week, but that's what we drive for. I'm looking forward to the draft."
Bergevin did not rule out the possibility of trading the pick.
"I'll listen, I'm open," he said. "I've told teams that if they want to make me an offer, I'll look at it. Sometimes teams don't want to move up as much as a team wants to move back or move up. If there's no takers or buyers, then we'll just sit back."
Asked if the Canadiens were holding contract discussions with forward Max Pacioretty, Bergevin said he would not discuss any negotiations. After refusing to confirm or deny reports that Pacioretty could be traded, Bergevin said, "I expect him to be back."