The last pillar of Montreal's past has fallen, and the remnants could be dusted away Thanos-style very soon.
P.K. Subban left town after the 2015-16 season, Max Pacioretty was shipped to Vegas prior to the 2018-19 season, and Carey Price formally departed in 2025 after taking time to address his mental health and knee issues.
All three were key pillars of Montreal's success up to 2021, and all three left the team via trade. As a result, Brendan Gallagher acts as the final stalwart of the Habs' success during the 2010's.
But after indicating that he was done as a Hab, there is now momentum behind a possible trade taking place as soon as this week.
The destination in question? The Vancouver Canucks.
While the Canucks were dead last in the NHL standings during the 2025-26 season, it's easy to see why Gallagher would want to seek a trade to the western Canadian club. Gallagher spent much of his junior career with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League; he would become the franchise's top goal and point-scorer, with 136 goals and 280 total points to his name. He also lived in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, despite being born in Edmonton.
What could a trade for Brendan Gallagher look like?
While Gallagher has long been a veteran forward in this league, the Canucks won't need to invest too heavily in a trade. Even though he has a $6.5 million cap hit attached to his contract, he is set to hit free agency after the end of the upcoming campaign. This means that Vancouver doesn't have to commit to any long-term plans for the 34-year-old, and they can let him head to free agency if he doesn't end up being part of their future or, if he so desires, retire from the NHL entirely.
While it's possible that Montreal could have to add a sweetener to Gallagher's contract, with some sources projecting that this would take the form of a mid-to-late round draft pick, there is also the possibility that Vancouver opts to forgo this requirement and dedicate a portion of their $22 million worth of cap space towards incorporating the contract.
A return could see Vancouver send a pick or two, though the Habs shouldn't expect these picks to be anything more than a late-round selection. Clearing Gallagher's contract pushes Montreal to over $17 million below the cap, and acquiring any kind of contract could make the entire effort useless.
As for the late-round selections, the Canucks possess three sixth-round selections in the 2026 draft and one additional pick in that round for each of the next two drafts. The Canucks could send up to two of those selections to Montreal, though they could also send a package consisting of one sixth-rounder and one of their two seventh-round picks.
Even then, it is heartbreaking for Gallagher and Habs fans alike that this is how one of the most noteworthy tenures in recent team history is coming to an end. Save for retiring a Hab, a meaningful trade that gives the Habs space to build for a Stanley Cup run while sending Gallagher home seems to be the most plausible way to end his time in Montreal.
