In a perfect world, Brendan Gallagher would have completed his legendary 14-season career with the Canadiens.
But the world isn’t perfect, especially in the domain of professional sports, where many athletes are merely pawns on a chessboard.
If it wasn’t clear during the regular season the Canadiens had moved on from the gritty 34-year-old, it became apparent during the team’s extended playoff run, when Gallagher dressed for only three of Montreal’s 19 games — and none after the opening round.
“I felt like I could have helped. Unfortunately, I just didn’t get that opportunity,” Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher says of Eastern Conference final series loss to the Carolina Hurricanes during a media scrum in Montreal on June 1. Allen McInnis / Montreal Gazette
So it was hardly shocking on Monday, when an emotional Gallagher revealed his tenure with the Canadiens was over — despite one season remaining on his contract — during the team’s year-end availability in Brossard.
“It’s pretty clear I’ll be kind of moving on from here,” Gallagher, with tears in his eyes, said before briefly having to excuse himself from the media scrum.
Upon returning, Gallagher revealed he had been thinking of his late mother, Della, who died from brain cancer on March 8, 2025, and was appreciative of the support he received from his teammates and the organization.
“I still get emotional talking about her,” he said. “That’s something that always will stick with me. The way the guys came behind me last year … it’s one of the proudest moments I’ve had. She was so proud to see me be a Montreal Canadien.”
Gallagher, a fourth-line winger who exemplified the organization with his grit, determination and feistiness, won’t be the only player who has probably played his last game with Montreal.
It became clear on Monday the Canadiens will attempt to trade Samuel Montembeault, who has become the third goaltender in a puzzle that no longer fits. Montembeault hasn’t played since March 6 and didn’t dress for any playoff games.
And forward Patrik Laine, who dressed for only five games to begin the season before sustaining an abdominal/core muscle injury that required surgery, won’t be re-signed when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher cuts in front of Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy as Dominic James trails during first period of Game 6 in Montreal on May 1. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette
Not only did Gallagher defy the odds by making it to the NHL as a fifth-round (147th overall) draft choice in 2010, but he also had to overcome physical odds given his 5-foot-9, 185-pound stature.
But he never showed a reluctance to play the game hard, always going to the net — where he scored dirty goals — and paid the price over the years with a plethora of injuries.
Gallagher played 911 games for the Canadiens, including 77 this season, when he had seven goals and 16 assists. The last of his 246 regular-season goals was scored in Montreal’s final game on April 14 at Philadelphia.
He made his playoff debut in Game 5 of the first round against Tampa Bay and . Gallagher dressed for the next two games against the Lightning, but never played again — a healthy scratch against both Buffalo and in the Eastern Conference final against Carolina.
“I felt like I could have helped,” Gallagher said. “Unfortunately, I just didn’t get that opportunity. The guys battled and did everything they possibly could. I just felt, had I been given the opportunity, I could have helped them out.”
While the Canadiens won the opening game against the Hurricanes, and despite losing the next two in overtime, it quickly became apparent the NHL’s youngest team was no match for its more experienced and playoff-tested opponent.
When Montreal was shut out 4-0 at home last Wednesday, falling into a 3-1 abyss, many thought Gallagher would dress two nights later with the Canadiens facing elimination. Although head coach Martin St. Louis had nothing to lose at that point, Gallagher remained a healthy scratch. Instead, the team lost 6-1, displaying little resilience.
Brendan Gallagher concentrates on the puck during third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Montreal on March 10. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette
“I thought I’d be in there,” Gallagher said. “I was actually looking forward to the opportunity to pull guys into the fight. That’s something that I’ll never lose and I do well. I’m sure I would have been able to … I just wasn’t given the opportunity. That’s fine. I’ve had to accept this fate here for a little while. I’m looking forward to a new challenge.”
Given his druthers, Gallagher wants to continue playing. And, although he has endured his share of physical pain over the years, he believes he can still provide a contribution to a team — as much on the ice as off it, given his leadership skills.
The Edmonton native believes Vancouver could be one possible destination. The Canucks finished last in the Pacific Division.
“I’m going to keep playing,” Gallagher vowed. “There’s more in the tank. I would have loved for it to be here. It’s just one of those situations where I guess my time has come and they’ve moved on. For me, as a player, I’m looking forward to getting back to what I do.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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