The idea launched by Georges Laraque, suggesting sending Brendan Gallagher to the Columbus Blue Jackets, has sparked many reactions on social networks.
This proposal, although attractive on paper, was quickly rejected by the supporters of the Ohio team, who made it clear that they did not want the Montreal forward.
This response, acerbic and unequivocal, adds to the growing list of obstacles facing Gallagher at the end of his career.
Once a symbol of determination and fighting spirit, he now finds himself in a delicate situation where even other teams are reluctant to take on his contract.
Indeed, Brendan Gallagher, with his six years of loyal service with the Canadiens, is no longer producing at the same level as before.
His body, tortured by years of physical and intense play, can no longer keep up, and his offensive statistics have plummeted.
However, his contract, which ties him to Montreal for another three years at an average salary of $6.5 million per season, represents a heavy burden for the team, especially in a context of reconstruction.
The Canadiens, well aware of this reality, could consider getting rid of their veteran to free up space under the salary cap, but the task looks complex.
Georges Laraque also addressed this point on his show. According to him, the Blue Jackets, looking for forwards and having to respect the salary floor after Johnny Gaudreau’s contract was released, could be interested in a player like Gallagher.
Waddell, the Columbus general manager, is looking for reinforcements for his offense, and a veteran like Gallagher could bring leadership to a relatively young locker room.
However, despite the economic and sporting arguments put forward, it seems that the Blue Jackets management is not ready to welcome Gallagher, even with a possible salary retention on the part of the Canadiens.
Laraque’s idea, while logical on paper, runs into the harsh reality of the NHL trade market.
It’s not enough to simply send a player to another team to solve a salary problem; the team in question must be willing to take a gamble on that player, and in Gallagher’s case, that’s a delicate situation.
The veteran scored just 16 goals last season, a performance well below what is expected of a player with such a salary.
And with his body showing obvious signs of fatigue, teams are hesitant to take on such a hefty contract, especially for a player whose production is likely to continue to decline.
For Brendan Gallagher, this situation is all the more difficult to accept because it comes at a time when his career seems to be on an irreversible downward slope.
Speculation about his future is growing. Some believe the Canadiens could be hoping for a long-term injured list, as was the case with Carey Price, allowing the team to free up space on the payroll.
However, that option seems unlikely. Gallagher is far too proud to resign himself to such an outcome. He is known for his relentlessness on the ice, his commitment to the team and his tenacity in the face of challenges. Giving up has never been part of his DNA.
That pride and commitment have, so far, allowed Gallagher to avoid a buyout in 2024, an option that seemed obvious to many observers last year.
His contribution in the locker room, as a leader and role model of hard work, is often cited as a crucial factor in his survival within the team.
Unfortunately, as time goes on, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify his salary solely on his leadership qualities.
Hockey is a cutthroat sport where on-ice performance always trumps everything else, and Gallagher is struggling to keep up.
Gallagher’s future with the Montreal Canadiens therefore appears bleak. With the team preparing to become a serious Stanley Cup contender again by 2026, it is unlikely that Gallagher will be part of that adventure.
Rumors of a premature retirement, reminiscent of Carey Price, continue to grow, especially after a 19-game goalless streak.
The scenario of a contract buyout in the summer of 2025 is becoming increasingly likely, unless Gallagher manages to turn things around spectacularly between now and then.
Alongside his professional difficulties, Brendan Gallagher must also face a personal tragedy: his mother, Della Gallagher, has been battling brain cancer for more than three years.
This family fight had a profound impact on Brendan, who draws much of his strength and determination from his mother’s courage.
Diagnosed in 2021 after a car accident, Della continues to defy medical odds, inspiring her son to fight on every front. Gallagher was instrumental in funding experimental care for his mother, using his resources to give her every chance possible.
This family ordeal has had a huge impact on Gallagher, both personally and professionally. Supporting his mother through this battle while continuing his declining career is no easy task.
But despite it all, Gallagher refuses to give up. His coach, Martin St-Louis, who himself lost his mother, has been a crucial support for Gallagher, further strengthening the bond between the two men.
This family solidarity, combined with the support of his teammates, is what keeps Gallagher moving forward, even when everything seems to be going against him.
While the Montreal Canadiens are looking to the future with new ambitions, Brendan Gallagher must consider his post-career.
Firmly established in Quebec with his fiancée, Emma Fortin, an exile in Europe seems unlikely. Gallagher could instead consider a role within the Canadiens organization, perhaps alongside Paul Byron on the development team.
Furthermore, with commercial ties already established with brands like GOOD FOOD and TAYLOR MADE, he could turn to opportunities outside the world of hockey.
But time is running out, and Gallagher’s body is showing signs of exhaustion. The question is no longer whether he can return to his former level, but rather when and how he will end his career.
Whether in the near or medium term, Gallagher will have to accept the reality: his time on the ice is limited.
His contribution to the team, although valuable in the past, will no longer be enough to keep him in uniform when the Canadiens lift the Stanley Cup, and he will have to turn to a new phase of his life.
Regardless, the story of Brendan Gallagher will remain etched in the memory of Montreal Canadiens fans.
His courage, dedication and fighting spirit have made him a player loved by all. But as with so many before him, time eventually catches up with even the most valiant, and Gallagher will soon have to turn the page.
Unfortunately, it won’t be in Columbus.
