Canadiens rumors: Montreal gives Brendan Gallagher’s agent permission to facilitate a trade

The Montreal Canadiens’ season ended in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes. After the series, it came out that Brendan Gallagher would likely not be back with the club.

Now, the process to move Gallagher has officially begun, according to Rick Dhaliwal of Checknews.

“Brendan Gallagher’s agent Gerry Johansson has permission from Montreal to help facilitate a trade,” Dhaliwal posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Gallagher is heading into the final year of a six-year extension that he signed with the Canadiens in 2020 and took effect for the 2021-22 season. The contract has an AAV of $6.5 million and also has trade protection, meaning the team and player will both need to be on the same page for a trade to happen.

The long-time member of the Canadiens was the 147th overall selection of the 2010 NHL Draft by the team. He broke into the NHL in the 2012-13 season, playing 44 games with the Canadiens that season. He has played 911 games with the team, finding the back of the net 246 times while adding 241 helpers. He has also played in 79 games in the playoffs, amassing 34 points.

Still, he did not have a great year with the Habs this season. Gallagher played in 77 games this past season, lighting the lamp seven times while adding 16 helpers. He played just three games in the playoffs, though, scoring once.

The Canadiens will be looking to make some big moves this offseason in an effort to win the Cup for the first time since 1993. Part of those moves will be opening up cap space, and moving Gallagher will do that.

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