Overview
- Montreal gave winger Brendan Gallagher’s agent permission to help facilitate a trade on Thursday, formally starting negotiations between the team and potential suitors.
- Gallagher is entering the final year of a six-year extension with a $6.5 million cap hit and trade protections that require player agreement for any move.
- His counting stats fell in 2025-26 (77 games, seven goals, 16 assists) but rate metrics stayed strong, including 1.31 points per 60 in the regular season and top shot and expected-goal shares for Montreal in the playoffs.
- The Canadiens want a deal that delivers usable roster or financial return rather than simply dumping the contract and are open to trades with retained salary or a buyout if needed.
- Teams with cap room or those needing contracts to reach the salary floor are considered likely fits, and the move marks the probable end of Gallagher’s 14-season stint in Montreal with clear implications for the club’s offseason spending and the player’s future role.