Canucks should pursue a trade for Alex Galchenyuk

The Vancouver Canucks could use some help in the top-six, and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Alex Galchenyuk fits the bill.

For the first time since the Alain Vigneault days, scoring hasn’t been a problem for the Vancouver Canucks, who rank sixth in goals for this season with 106.

The Lotto Line — consisting of Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser — has been one of the NHL’s most dominant in 2019-20. Secondary scoring hasn’t been an issue, either, as Vancouver boasts seven forwards with seven-plus goals.

But in an interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre, general manager Jim Benning admitted that he’s keen on adding another top-six forward. Benning said the team will explore “something that fits and makes sense.”

Now, Vancouver isn’t exactly in a position where they can offer up top prospects and draft picks for help up front. They already own the Tampa Bay Lightning a future first-rounder for Miller, so Benning shouldn’t even think about dangling another early-round selection.

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Taylor Hall and Jason Zucker, for example, will probably cost too much for Benning’s liking. The former is only two years removed from a Hart Trophy season, and Zucker has four more years of team control.

The Canucks should explore cheaper options, and there won’t be any shortage of them.

In looking at potential trade candidates, I believe Alex Galchenyuk of the Pittsburgh Penguins is a realistic and logical target for Benning. Galchenyuk has been the subject of trade rumors, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman stating last week that 25-year-old “is someone who could be finding a new home.”

Galchenyuk was acquired by the Arizona Coyotes in the Phil Kessel offseason blockbuster trade, but he’s struggled mightily with two goals and 10 points in 22 games. The cap-strapped Penguins may feel inclined to cut their losses and give Galchenyuk another fresh start.

Now, Galchenyuk hasn’t lived up to the sky-high expectations since he was drafted third overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2012. But his production has been consistent: He’s put up 17-plus goals and 40-plus points five times, and Galchenyuk has surpassed the 50-point mark twice.

Galchenyuk has good size at 6-foot-1, 207 pounds. He has solid career puck possessions numbers, with a Corsi For percentage of 50.3.

It’s worth noting that Galchenyuk has an unfortunate 4.8 shooting percentage through 22 games. Certainly, luck will eventually balance out — and he’ll draw closer to his career shooting percentage of 12.0.

And with Galchenyuk slated for unrestricted free agency in 2020, the Penguins can only command so much in a potential return. Maybe the Canucks can offer up somebody like Chris Tanev or a couple of mid-round picks for Galchenyuk?

It’s unknown what the asking price would be from Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. But if it’s nothing outrageous, Benning and the Canucks have to at least explore the opportunity to land a consistent 20-goal and 50-point threat.