The Vancouver Canucks have acquired veteran winger Brendan Gallagher from the Montreal Canadiens, announcing the trade Monday morning. The deal sees Montreal retain half of Gallagher’s salary as part of future considerations, with Gallagher remaining under a $6.5 million cap hit for the remainder of his contract.
The 34-year-old Gallagher, a 14-year Canadiens veteran, saw limited action during Montreal’s recent playoff run, appearing in just three games. While his role in the lineup has diminished, his experience and leadership remain valuable assets as Vancouver enters a rebuilding phase.
Gallagher brings significant veteran presence to Vancouver’s lineup, having played over 900 NHL regular season games during his tenure with the Canadiens. The diminutive forward—standing at 5-foot-9, 185-pounds—was twice an alternate captain for Montreal over his 11-season stint with the club.
Adding local significance to the move, Gallagher is a Vancouver native who played junior hockey with the Vancouver Giants and maintains strong ties to the Lower Mainland, including family connections through his father Ian, who leads the Delta Hockey Academy.
Gallagher acknowledged the transition during his end-of-season media availability, stating it was “pretty clear I’ll be moving on here.” When asked about the Canucks opportunity, he noted it was “an opportunity” under consideration, though he had not yet met with his agent to finalize discussions. “I’ll sit down with my wife and figure out what’s best for our family and then go forward,” he said. “Certainly, Vancouver would be a great place.”