A Winning Habit
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Canadiens Captaincy Can Go In Three Different Directions

By Patrick Lortie

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Brendan Gallagher #11, Nick Suzuki and Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens stand during the anthems prior to the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Centre Bell on November 6, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Brendan Gallagher #11, Nick Suzuki and Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens stand during the anthems prior to the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Centre Bell on November 6, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Brendan Gallagher (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
Brendan Gallagher (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

Carey Price and Brendan Gallagher are the players with the most seniority with the team. If goaltenders were allowed to don the “C” on their sweaters, Carey Price would likely be in his 8th year as team captain.

If we were to base the pick on a mix of seniority and merit, then Brendan Gallagher would get the honor of becoming the 29th captain of the historic franchise.

Gallagher has been a perennial candidate due to his never-give-up attitude and flat out honesty when facing the media. He’s been loved by every teammate and detested by ever opponent due to his reputation of trash talking and never backing down from difficult situations.

Gallagher is in his 7th season wearing the “A” but has been passed over twice in the captaincy nomination. Max Pacioretty in 2015 and Shea Weber in 2018 were picked over #11.

Pros: Gallagher remains an excellent candidate since he is role model for many younger fans due to his generosity, personality and general tenacity on the ice.

Cons: A laundry list of injuries has clearly slowed down the soon to be 30 year old. Gallagher would need to significantly change his playing style in order to not only justify his $6.5 million annual contract, but be able to actually physically play until the end of said contract which runs out after the 2026-27 contract.

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