The Montreal Canadiens used a fifth-round selection in the 2010 NHL draft on Vancouver Giants forward Brendan Gallagher.
What a fifth-round selection that turned out to be and there is no way they could have known what it would turn into. Gallagher might not have ever been a star, but he has a few 30-goal seasons under his belt, and as he ages, he seems to continue being effective. I don't know about you, but I would think that draft value in the dictionary would have a photo of Gallagher next to it.
It's not foreign for late-round picks to carve out NHL roles, but Gallagher has done so while being one of the Habs leaders. When the Habs were captainless, I would be lying if I said I didn't have Gallagher on my shortlist of options for the vacant role. I believe that Nick Suzuki is the perfect candidate, and having a guy like Gallagher to lean on is huge for the former Vegas Golden Knight's first-round selection.
If we're being accurate, Gallagher was back on track last season. This is just a continuation of his resurgence, which is certainly impressive given his age.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 8, 2024
Gallagher was good last season, as Montreal Hockey Now writer Marc Dumont alluded to. And his strong and steady play this season isn't a new thing, but just a picking up where he left off situation. At 32 years old, Gallagher's best seasons are behind him but don't tell him that. The hardnosed, undersized winger and his heart of a lion ensure that he will continue being one of the league's most competitive until the day he decides to hang up his skates.
So long as Gallagher continues to turn back the clock, the Canadiens will continue having one of the peskiest players the league has to offer.
Six goals in 14 games
It's hard to determine if Gallagher has another 30-goal season in him, but the fact that he has six goals through 13 games, almost 14 is pretty promising. Gallagher is all heart and gives it his all every shift. If anybody is deserving of some Gatorade when they get back to the bench, it's the guy who is sucking back air at the end of each shift. There are some frustrating stretches, but when Gallagher starts the season like he has, it has to be a big weight lifted from his shoulders.
Currently, Gallagher is playing on a line with Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak, which is a pretty ideal third line. And I don't think you could ask for much more from the Edmonton, Alberta native. There are some underperforming players on the Habs, guys who should be delivering a little more, but Gallagher's name isn't on that list.
Fortunately for Gallagher, he is one of the Habs most consistent forwards. Unfortunately for the Habs, he is on a shortlist of forwards who have been difference makers for the Habs offensively.