With the Montreal Canadiens naming Nick Suzuki as the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, NHL trade rumors are starting to make the rounds that the Montreal Canadiens are looking at trading Brendan Gallagher.
Gallagher is the heart and soul of the Habs and with Montreal not naming him captain, rumors of a Gallagher trade are ramping up.
Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports, GM Kent Hughes is probably already trying to trade Gallagher as the Canadiens look to rebuild with youth and gain Habs salary-cap space.
The Canadiens tried to trade Gallagher last season, but could not get the asking price they wanted in a trade.
Three potential destinations for a Brenden Gallagher trade
LA Kings
With former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin now being a senior advisor in the LA Kings management team and one of Brendan’s biggest fans, you would have to think the Kings will inquire about his availability if the Kings are in a playoff position after the Christmas break.
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are done with being a rebuilding team and want to be a playoff contender. The Devils need an experienced player and Brendan Gallagher would be a perfect fit for the Devils.
Gallagher would provide leadership and grit to this young skilled Devils team.
Arizona Coyotes
We all know Arizona is the place where salaries go to die. Gallagher still has 5 more years left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $6.5 million.
Brendan does own a modified no-trade clause where he submits a 6 team no trade list. It is very likely the Arizona Coyotes are on the list.
One scenario where the Coyotes could be involved is they act as a third team in a trade to eat some of Gallagher’s cap hit.
Gallagher has grit, is feisty, a leader and can put up points on a scoresheet. His best days are likely behind him, but if Montreal is willing to eat part of his cap hit or get a third team involved like the Arizona Coyotes, he can be a great asset to a team.
