NHL rumors were floating around earlier this offseason that Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher would not want to stick around if the Habs are planning a rebuild under the new management team.
Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports the Los Angeles Kings might have interest in Gallagher as Canadiens GM Kent Hughes looks to reshape the team.
Cowan went on to say, Hughes would probably like to unload the final five seasons of Gallagher’s six-year, US$39-million contract with an annual Habs salary-cap hit of $6.5 million.
Former Habs GM Marc Bergevin is one of Gallagher’s biggest fans, he is a senior adviser to Kings GM Rob Blake. If a deal is to be made with the Kings, Montreal will likely have to eat some of Gallagher’s salary for a trade to happen.
Gallagher, 29, was drafted 147th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 5th round of the 2010 entry draft. He has a total 377 points in 634 games played, and 31 playoffs points in 71 games played.
Unless the Habs eat half of his salary, that is a tough contract to trade.