Montreal Canadiens, Brendan Gallagher Reach Long-Term Agreement
By Emmanuel D
The Montreal Canadiens and forward Brendan Gallagher have come to terms on a long-term, 6-year extension valued at $39 million.
Just 24 hours earlier, it was revealed by TSN’s Pierre Lebrun that contract talks between the Montreal Canadiens and Brendan Gallagher had broken off, per agent Gerry Johannson. However, it appears that this was merely smoke and mirrors as just a day later, the Canadiens announced that they have signed Gallagher to a long-term extension.
Beginning in the 2021-22 season, Brendan Gallagher’s 6-year extension will see him earn an annual AAV of $6.5 million until the 2026-27 season for a total of $39 million. The contract comes with a no-movement clause and a six-team no-trade clause.
Since making his NHL debut, Brendan Gallagher has amassed 334 points (173 goals, 161 assists) in 547 games played in the NHL. In the shortened 2019-20 regular season Brendan Gallagher recorded 43 points (22 goals, 21 assists) in 43 games played, marking the forward’s fourth season of scoring at 20 goals or more. Gallagher’s career-high remains his 54 points (31 goals, 23 assists) in the 2017-18 season, his first of two seasons where he recorded 30 goals or more.
Drafted in the at 147th overall in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Brendan Gallagher has been a core member of the Montreal Canadiens and has been known to be among many as the heart and soul of the franchise with his gritty, in-your-face style of play that often sees him close to the creases of opposing goaltenders, a place where he like to score many of his goals.
As the team has often relied on Gallagher to be among the top goal scorers for them, Gallagher will not be without reinforcements in the form of offseason acquisitions Josh Anderson (acquired via trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets) and Tyler Toffoli (acquired via Free Agency) to offset some of the pressure.
As it stands, General Manager Marc Bergevin has addressed several pressing matters for this offseason. However, there still remains signing two-way centre Philip Danault to a contract as he will be a UFA next season.