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In Hainsight: What to Expect from/for Brendan Gallagher |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
It’s hard to predict what we can expect from Brendan Gallagher this season because so much of it will be directly linked to his health. Last year, after a long offseason, Gallagher showed up to camp fully healthy and the more optimistic amongst us expected a bounce back season, but unfortunately, Gally didn’t stay healthy for long and was limited to 37 games in which he collected 14 points. The last time the warrior played an 82-game season was back in 2018-2019 and now that he’s on the wrong side of 30, it’s hard to imagine that he could turn the tide back on his injury woes.
The one thing we can 100% expect from Gallagher is that he’ll give his all for the Sainte-Flanelle and provide some much-needed veteran leadership for this young team. Even with a contract which is disproportionate with his present offensive output, his teammates respect him for his past contribution and his work ethics. Players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were there when a bloody Gallagher lead the charge in the 2021 playoffs, that certainly had an impact on them.
As for what we can expect for Gallagher, well, you can expect him to stick around. He’s just entering the third season of a six-year contract worth $39 million. His AAV of $6.5 million makes him rather hard to move and he’s also got a modified no trade clause through which he can give a list of 6 teams he doesn’t want to be traded to. Unless he can find his form back, there is no doubt that this is not a good contract, it aged badly because it was based on the player’s past accomplishments.
In Bergevin’s defense though, when the deal was signed in October 2020, Gallagher had had two complete 82 game seasons followed by a concussion and a lower-body injury affected campaign which saw him play in 59 games. Clearly, the general manager was hoping that there would be no lasting damage. As things stand though, no team would be ready to take on Gallagher’s contract, not without the Habs retaining salary and paying handsomely for the favor, something we know Kent Hughes doesn’t like to do.
Besides, right now, the Canadiens do not need the cap room, they are not ready to contend and to start sacrificing future assets to perform now. I’m not saying Gallagher will still be in Montreal in the last season of his contract if by some miracle he manages to stay healthy, but I’m saying do not expect him to be moved anytime soon. I still believe there’s a higher likelihood that he’ll end up on LTIR eventually than playing for another team if I am perfectly honest.
Expecting a bounce back season from the Edmonton native at this stage would be wishful thinking more than anything else. His days on the Canadiens’ top line are finished and if the team stays healthy, he’s got no business in the top-6 of the line-up. Given the reduced ice-time and opportunities, 30 points would be a satisfying performance. Early in the season, before Dvorak is ready to play, he should be centered by Jake Evans on a line that could be completed by newcomer Alex Newhook if the team decides to ease in its new number 15. What are your expectations from/for Gallagher this upcoming season?
Yesterday, the Canadiens announced that their prospects would be taking part in the 2023 Prospects Challenge which will be hosted by the Buffalo Sabres. Four other teams have also been invited: Boston, New Jersey, Pittsburgh and Ottawa. The event will take place from September 15 to 18 and each team will compete in three games. The Canadiens will be taking on the Sabres, the Bruins and the Senators under the Laval Rocket’s coaching staff’s care. This means that in less than two months, we’ll have some hockey games to watch which is always good news.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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