Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson can breathe, unlike Ryan Suter, who was acquired by the Dallas Stars today.
Josh Anderson, who just got married in Italy, and Gallagher, who will also get married this summer to his sweetheart, will not be bought back this summer.
However, there are rumors that Gallagher could be bought out next summer.
For some time now, Brendan Gallagher’s future with the Montreal Canadiens has been the subject of speculation and all sorts of rumors.
Some reporters have even suggested that team management was hoping for an early retirement for Gallagher, similar to Carey Price’s, in order to place him on long-term injured reserve.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, this did not come to fruition.
There is no denying his courage and commitment on the ice. Gallagher gives everything he has, never giving up. Thanks to his efforts, his leadership in the locker room, and his “spiritual” contribution to the team, he will indeed avoid a contract buyout this summer.
As for Anderson, the fact that he has proven himself to be a playoff player and that Kent Hughes still has hope of trading him saves him.
Gallagher isn’t so lucky. If the forward’s contract had been bought out this summer, the Canadiens would have saved $6.5 million of the $19 million owed to Gallagher over the next four years.
Here’s how payroll would have been affected:
2024-2025: only $333,000
2025-2026 : 2,1 M$
2026-2027 : 4,6 M$
2027-2028 : 2,1 M$
2028-2029 : 2,1 M$
2029-2030 : 2,1 M$
(Credit: Mathias Brunet, la Presse)
At the start of the year, many thought that a contract buyout in the summer of 2024 was the only option, not only to relieve the salary cap but also to free up a roster spot. Gallagher’s involvement in the locker room allowed him to earn a year of reprieve.
However, its future remains uncertain. Despite the postponement of a buyout to 2024, it is difficult not to consider this possibility for the summer of 2025.
The physical challenges he faces seem inevitable, and the reality of an increasingly young NHL can be unforgiving.
It’s obvious that Gallagher has limitless willpower, but the body has its limits. Apparent fatigue and repeated injuries could influence the decision of the Canadiens management.
Especially since Gallagher acts like a fool when he is placed on the 4th line.
The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a test for Gallagher. It’s hard to imagine the Canadiens not buying him out. The question is how he’ll get through the 2024-25 season, given his current state on the ice.
Once bought out, finding a new contract could be a major challenge, given the uncertainties surrounding his physical condition, recurring injuries and lack of speed.
It seems increasingly likely that Brendan Gallagher will be bought out in the summer of 2025, which could mark the end of his career in the NHL, or even hockey in general.
It’s hard to imagine him going to play in Europe, when his future wife, Emma Fortin, is from Quebec and her life is here. Perhaps he will join the development team with Paul Byron.
Either way, the inevitable is looming on the horizon. Gallagher escaped a buyout in 2024, but in 2025 his destiny may well catch up with him, marking the start of his premature retirement.
Seeing Ryan Suter get bought out today, Gallagher must have thought that next season…it will be his turn…
