Brendan Gallagher has never been the biggest guy on the ice, but for more than a decade, he’s been the heartbeat of the Montreal Canadiens. While Nick Suzuki wears the “C” on his chest and has grown into a steady, respected captain, make no mistake - Gallagher’s presence in that locker room still carries weight. He’s the emotional engine of this team, the guy who sets the tone with grit, work ethic, and a relentless drive that’s defined his entire career.
At 33 years old, Gallagher is now the longest-tenured Hab, having broken into the league back in 2012 - the same year Marc Bergevin took over as general manager. From the jump, there were doubts.
The consensus was that a 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward who played like a wrecking ball wouldn’t last long in the NHL. But Gallagher didn’t just survive - he thrived.
He made a career out of going to the dirty areas, taking punishment in front of the net, and getting under the skin of opposing players.
There’s a moment that still sticks out: Zdeno Chara, all 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds of him, once cross-checked Gallagher in the face. Most players would’ve backed off.
Gallagher? He came right back at Chara, bumping into the Bruins legend like it was just another shift.
That’s who he’s always been - fearless, scrappy, and absolutely committed to the bleu-blanc-rouge.
And for a stretch, Gallagher wasn’t just a heart-and-soul guy - he was a top-line contributor. He hit the 30-goal mark twice, often playing alongside Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar on a line that could both score and shut you down. Most of his goals came from within a few feet of the crease, a testament to his willingness to take a beating for his team.
But here’s the hard part - the Gallagher we’re seeing now isn’t the same player. And that’s not an easy thing to say about a guy who’s given everything to this franchise.
Through 49 games this season, Gallagher has just four goals and 11 assists. Compare that to last year’s 21-goal, 17-assist campaign, and it’s clear that his production has taken a hit.
And while the effort is still there - it always is with Gally - the impact just isn’t the same. He’s still trying to play the same physical, in-your-face style, but the results aren’t matching the intent.
He’s not creating the chaos in front of the net like he used to, and defensively, he’s starting to become a liability.
Saturday night’s game in Ottawa was a telling example. It was a physical matchup, the kind of game where you’d expect Gallagher to thrive.
But instead of Gally, it was Samuel Blais - one of the Canadiens' most consistent hitters - who was a healthy scratch. That decision raised some eyebrows.
Gallagher still brings the edge, but it’s fair to ask whether it’s enough anymore.
And now, with injured players nearing a return, head coach Martin St. Louis has some tough choices to make.
At Monday’s practice, Kirby Dach was skating on the top line with Suzuki and Cole Caufield. But with Alexandre Texier expected back Tuesday against the Wild after a therapy day, Dach’s spot could shift.
That creates a ripple effect throughout the lineup.
The third line appears set to feature Danault, Josh Anderson, and either Blais or Gallagher. The fourth line likely includes Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, and Zachary Bolduc. Veleno might be the odd man out - but if Blais is back in, does Gallagher sit?
It’s a delicate situation. Gallagher is an assistant captain, a fan favorite, and one of the most respected figures in the organization.
General manager Kent Hughes and president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton have shown plenty of respect for him, and St. Louis clearly values what he brings to the room.
But at some point, sentiment has to take a back seat to performance. The Canadiens are in a playoff race - currently sitting third in the Atlantic Division, just three points out of first, but also only five points ahead of the Maple Leafs, who are chasing the final wild-card spot. Every point matters, and every lineup decision could swing a game.
Back in October 2020, Bergevin signed Gallagher to a six-year, $39 million extension - a deal that was as emotional as it was financial. Bergevin was visibly emotional when announcing the contract, and it’s easy to see why.
Gallagher had earned the admiration of the front office, the coaching staff, and the fan base. But now, that contract - with a $6.5 million cap hit and another year left - looms large.
A buyout at season’s end is a real possibility. But the more immediate question is this: Can the Canadiens afford to keep rolling him out there every night? Or is it time to start managing his minutes - maybe even sitting him out for stretches, especially against faster, more skilled teams?
None of this takes away from what Gallagher has meant to this franchise. He’s been a warrior, a leader, and a symbol of what it means to wear the Canadiens sweater. But as the team pushes for the postseason, the hard decisions are coming - and Brendan Gallagher might be at the center of one.