Brendan Gallagher Wants Out Of Montreal, Names Prefered Destination
It seemed inevitable after the way his season came to an end in the press box. Veteran Brendan Gallagher's days with the Montreal Canadiens were looking tenuous at best. Now, the 34-year-old forward has made it official: He wants out of Montreal, and has selected his childhood home of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Canucks, as his preferred destination.
Brendan Gallagher making it official he has played his last game with #Habs. He has one season left on contract. Said he’d love to return home to Vancouver and play for Canucks. Either a trade or a buyout coming up.
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) June 1, 2026
Brendan Gallagher on his future: “Vancouver will be a great place” when asked on playing for another team and the possibility to go back home.
— Renaud Lavoie (@RLavoieTVA) June 1, 2026
It was an emotional Gallagher who talked to the media on locker cleanout day Monday morning. “It’s pretty clear I’ll be moving on here," he said, before having to pause due to tears. He added that he was grateful to play in front of the Bell Centre fans for so long.
«Le moment est venu de passer à autre chose»
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 1, 2026
Émotif, Brendan Gallagher confirme qu'il a disputé son dernier match avec le Canadien 😢 pic.twitter.com/7YtKXsWVwa
He added that while it's his decision, he was 'forced into it' by the circumstances.
Being a healthy scratch in their final elimination game against the Carolina Hurricanes was obviously the last straw.
If a trade can't be arranged, the Habs would have to work out a buyout of Gallagher's contract, which has one year remaining at a $6.5 million AAV.
«Le moment est venu de passer à autre chose»
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 1, 2026
Émotif, Brendan Gallagher confirme qu'il a disputé son dernier match avec le Canadien 😢 pic.twitter.com/7YtKXsWVwa
The gritty 5'9" agitator has spent his entire 14-year career with the Canadiens. His role and his production declined this year, however, down to a career-low 12:21 of average ice time, while equalling a career worst of just seven goals to go with 16 assists.
It's a sad reality for Montreal fans, as Gallagher will be taking his heart-and-soul tenacious play out of the city for the first time since the Habs drafted him in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Draft.
In 911 career games with the Habs, he recorded 246 goals and 487 points with a +26 rating.
Photo: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images
