BREAKING: Reasons Why Veteran Brendan Gallagher Is Value To The Montreal Canadiens

Growing up chronicling the Montreal Canadiens’ journey, I never anticipated becoming that traditionalist figure championing the veterans while the fanbase rightfully shifts its focus towards the younger players. But over time, and thanks to Brendan Gallagher, I’ve found myself in that role.

It feels like just yesterday when Gallagher himself was a key figure in the previous wave of young talent. He was an energetic player capable of igniting any line and bringing out the best in his teammates. Climbing up the ranks, Gallagher cemented himself as a mainstay on the top line during his prime.

I love that even though Brendan Gallagher scored the goal last night, he told Lane Hutson to skate ahead of him for the skate-by glove taps from the Habs bench after his first career NHL assist. pic.twitter.com/3MH9VW6lI2

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 16, 2024

Not only was he a fixture, but he was the consistent factor across different iterations of the Habs’ top lines, playing alongside various partners like Pacioretty, Desharnais, Tatar, and Danault.

During his prime years, Gallagher was a formidable presence on the wing, excelling in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. Surprisingly, his offensive output at even strength ranked among the NHL’s elite.

From the shortened 2013 season until 2021, Gallagher’s goal-scoring rate per 60 minutes was among the league’s top 10 forwards with over 3000 minutes played, outpacing renowned players such as Stamkos, Tavares, and Malkin. His points production per 60 minutes was also notable, ranking 36th overall.

Additionally, he led the league in shots on goal, shot attempts, and individual goals per 60 minutes, while also boasting strong metrics in on-ice and expected goal differentials relative to his team.

However, the years following the team’s Stanley Cup Final run in 2021 have been challenging for Gallagher. Suddenly, he lost his linemates, his role within the team diminished significantly, and injuries began to take their toll. Amidst this instability, Gallagher secured a substantial contract extension, which inevitably shaped how fans perceived him.

Gallagher Isn’t The Same Player

Reviewing Brendan Gallagher’s past achievements can provide insight into his former prowess, but I won’t sugarcoat it: he’s not the same player anymore. A series of injuries has dulled his scoring touch, and coupled with advancing age, he now faces challenges he once overcame effortlessly. While observing Gallagher on the ice might suggest a decline, it’s not the whole picture.

Indeed, Gallagher occasionally struggles to keep pace with the game, but we must acknowledge the broader context. The team has grappled with significant health issues in recent seasons, and Gallagher hasn’t been spared. Moreover, the caliber of players alongside him has diminished, impacting his performance. While Gallagher never logged extensive ice time, even that has been curtailed.

This isn’t to suggest that the Canadiens erred in transitioning leadership—it was undoubtedly the right move. Yet, when evaluating Brendan Gallagher as a player, we must weigh all factors before passing harsh judgment.

Better Than You Think

It seems that Gallagher’s performance this season isn’t perceived as a significant improvement compared to the past two years, which were marred by injuries. Despite his shooting accuracy returning to his career average at 10 percent, totaling 15 goals and 29 points might not appear impressive at first glance. However, considering his limited time playing alongside the team’s primary offensive contributors, it’s actually a commendable achievement.

Interestingly, Gallagher ranks third among Canadiens players in goals per 60 minutes during 5-vs-5 play this season, trailing only Joel Armia and Alex Newhook. Additionally, he ranks third in shots on goal, first in expected goals, second in shot attempts, first in scoring chances, high-danger chances, rush shot attempts, and created rebounds per 60 minutes. While his statistical outputs may have declined slightly, the underlying performance indicators remain relatively consistent. This prompts speculation about how much his output could improve with better quality or more consistent linemates, especially considering the significant ice time entrusted to him by the coaching staff.

Remarkably, Brendan Gallagher is the sole Canadiens player who falls into both the “hard defense” and “hard offense” categories, as defined by Dom Luszczyszyn’s teammate and opposition impact breakdown. This underscores the challenging circumstances he has faced on the ice this season.

Say The Word Washed at Your Peril

Earlier, I discussed how despite a significant drop in production, Brendan Gallagher’s performance indicators remain strong. It’s important to illustrate this by comparing his current performance with his career trajectory.

Analyzing Brendan Gallagher’s impact on the Montreal Canadiens season by season, we observe a notable decline in goals during the 2023-24 season. This decline can be attributed partly to the performance of the top line comprising Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky. However, the primary reason is Gallagher’s low on-ice save percentage of 89.7%, the team’s lowest, and his second-lowest on-ice shooting percentage of 7.22%.

While goals are subject to fluctuation, Gallagher has consistently maintained a positive impact at 5-vs-5 throughout his career, except for this year. This consistency is particularly impressive given recent trends.

Looking forward, the focus understandably shifts to the future, possibly without Gallagher in the long term. However, his absence wouldn’t imply a negative influence. Despite challenges such as the absence of key players like Max Pacioretty, Phillip Danault, and Tomas Tatar, Gallagher continues to steer the team in the right direction consistently. His tenacity was evident in facilitating Lane Hutson’s inaugural NHL point and ensuring Hutson received the puck as a memento.

Amidst discussions about trades, long-term injuries, and potential buyouts, Gallagher remains dedicated to his role and excels, especially in a challenging season. He embodies the culture fostered by Hughes, Gorton, and St. Louis.

For over a decade, Brendan Gallagher has epitomized resilience and commitment, wearing the Canadiens’ logo with pride. While his demeanor may occasionally betray the strain, his consistent performance across various metrics suggests that focusing solely on one erratic indicator would be shortsighted.