Brendan Gallagher’s future with the Montreal Canadiens appears increasingly uncertain after the veteran winger was scratched repeatedly during the final stretch of the season and then left out of multiple playoff games. For the first time since his NHL career began, Gallagher was made a healthy scratch in Game 65 of the season, and he has since watched from the sidelines as the Canadiens fell behind 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. His absence has fueled questions about whether he has already played his last game in a Canadiens uniform.
The decision reflects a harsh reality for a player who has built his reputation on effort, toughness and loyalty. Gallagher has spent his entire NHL career with Montreal after being drafted in the fifth round in 2010. He made his debut in 2013 and quickly established himself as a reliable scorer and relentless competitor. Over the years, he overcame serious hand injuries, lower-body problems and the challenges of adapting to new systems as the Canadiens rebuilt around him.
Even in a reduced role this season, Gallagher continued to bring the kind of energy coaches value in the playoffs. He showed that again earlier in the postseason when he stepped into the lineup and scored on his first shot in a first-round win over Tampa Bay. But his ice time faded after that, and Montreal increasingly turned away from him as the playoffs progressed. With the team now trailing in the series, the Canadiens appear to be moving in another direction.
The contrast with some of Montreal’s recent lineup choices has been part of the discussion. Other forwards, including Alex Texier and Kirby Dach, have struggled to produce in the current series, combining for no shots on goal, several penalty minutes and a minus rating over three straight losses. Still, the coaching staff has evidently decided that Gallagher’s current level is no longer enough for its needs, despite the veteran’s long history of delivering in difficult moments.
Teammates have praised Gallagher for the way he has handled the situation, describing him as a committed presence in the locker room who continues to support others even while out of the lineup. Coaches and players alike have acknowledged how difficult the decision has been, with head coach Martin St. Louis previously calling Gallagher’s scratch one of the hardest choices of his tenure behind the bench.
The article also reflects on the broader emotional atmosphere around hockey this week following the death of Claude Lemieux, a fiercely competitive former star whose career included Stanley Cup championships with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado and New Jersey again. Lemieux was remembered as a warrior and one of the game’s great playoff performers, with 80 goals and 158 points in 234 postseason games. His death shocked the hockey world, and the piece closes with condolences to his family and friends.
As Montreal’s playoff run continues, Gallagher’s situation stands as a reminder of how quickly a veteran can move from central contributor to outsider in the NHL. His likely departure would mark the end of a long and often improbable run with the Canadiens, one defined by grit, resilience and an unwavering willingness to battle for every shift.
