Brendan Gallagher’s role has evolved considerably in recent seasons. After having experienced several prolific campaigns, including two where he scored more than 30 goals, the 32-year-old veteran was hit hard by numerous injuries, thus changing his contribution to the Montreal Canadiens.
Although he failed to return to the level that allowed him to be the team’s top scorer from 2017 to 2020, he was able to reinvent himself by adopting a more discreet, but nevertheless crucial, function. Currently relegated to a less visible role on the third or even fourth offensive unit, he remains an excellent catalyst for the attack thanks to his energy.
Since the start of the season, he has stood out in this new role. With his two goals, he is currently the second top scorer for the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, tied with Emil Heineman.
Interviewed by Gabriel Duhamel from LNH.com on his role within the Habs, the main interested party explained the reasons why his style of play had changed compared to a few years ago.
“I’m not making the decision to play differently, I just don’t have a choice anymore. The game and the league are changing. It’s no longer the same thing as it was 10 years ago, during my first seasons. You adapt your game in order to be successful. You’re looking for a way to help the team. That doesn’t change. » –Brendan Gallagher
Although he is posting interesting statistics this year, this has not always been the case since the arrival of Martin St-Louis at the head of the club. However, the manager, working with the right winger, has observed an evolution in Gally’s playing style, an effort that is not necessarily reflected in the numbers.
“Since I have been managing Gally, I have seen a big evolution from last year in the way he plays the game. I see him touching the puck in places where he didn’t touch it before. He was always around the goal. And when he was elsewhere, the game didn’t continue all the time. Now he is equally at home elsewhere. » – Martin St-Louis
His new role seems to be paying off, as Gallagher is the hockey player who has generated the most scoring chances since the start of 2024-25 in the CH.
