Now that the Habs have been eliminated from the 2015 NHL playoffs, it's time to start keeping an eye out for silly rumours. The first one to hit the press came from Russia.

From championat.com (translated). H/T to Swiss Habs for finding the report

Forward "Montreal" Alex Galchenyuk close to continue their careers in the CHL

As the correspondent of "Championship" Paul Panyshev, citing a source close to the hockey player, 21-year-old striker, "Montreal" Alex Galchenyuk close to continue a career in the Continental Hockey League. The interest in the striker showing several leading clubs in the CHL. Contract Galchenyuk with "Montreal" ended in the NHL, he is a restricted free agent, but an obstacle to moving to the CHL is not.



It is worth noting that a third number Galchenyuk NHL draft in 2012 and world champion in 2013 among young people as part of the American team. Alex also took the bronze medal with Team USA at the adult World Cup in 2013. Interestingly, the father Galchenyuk - Belarusian striker, known for his performances in Moscow "Dynamo".



Last season in the "Montreal" hockey player, took part in 80 games of the regular season, and scored them 46 (20 + 26) points. In the playoffs, he recorded in their asset 4 (1 + 3) points in 12 games.

There's almost nothing that would lead you to believe that Galchenyuk is remotely close to signing with a KHL club.

Galchenyuk has long committed to playing his hockey in North America, spending three seasons with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League, before being drafted third overall by the Habs in 2012. He plays his international hockey with Team USA, and is slated for a rather large raise this summer, now that he's burned off his entry-level contract years

He was drafted in the KHL back in 2011, although the team that acquired his rights, Atlant, is likely to cease operations shortly.

Another thing to consider is that Russia's economy has borderline collapsed, which is part of why Atlant and several other clubs are likely to cease operations. The idea that a young player would risk guaranteed NHL money to go to a possibly dying league seems extremely unlikely. Even Ilya Kovalchuk is rumoured to be leaving the KHL.

We see these type of baseless rumours all the time with players like Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin, but it's the first time the Russian rumour mills have targeted Galchenyuk.

To be safe you can never say never, but there's no need to worry Habs fans, all signs point to Galchenyuk once again being a very important member of the lineup next season.

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