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Canucks acquire Brendan Gallagher in trade with Canadiens
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- Canucks acquire Brendan Gallagher in trade with Canadiens
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The Vancouver Canucks have completed a trade for veteran forward Brendan Gallagher , acquiring the longtime Montreal Canadiens winger in exchange for future considerations . The Canadiens are retaining 50 percent of the remaining season on Gallagher's contract, reducing his $6.5 million cap hit to $3.25 million for the Canucks during the final year of his deal.
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The move brings Gallagher back to his hockey roots. Although born in Alberta, the 34-year-old grew up in Tsawwassen, B.C., after moving to the Vancouver area as a child. He played minor hockey with the South Delta Storm before spending four junior seasons with the Vancouver Giants, serving as captain during the 2011-12 campaign.
Selected by Montreal in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Draft, Gallagher spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the Canadiens before the trade. He leaves the organization with 246 goals and 487 points in 911 regular-season games.
Gallagher's role diminished during the 2025-26 season. He recorded seven goals and 23 points in 77 regular-season games after posting 21 goals and 38 points across 82 games the previous year. His ice time steadily declined, and he was a healthy scratch multiple times late in the season, including the final four regular-season games. He also appeared in only three of Montreal's 19 playoff games.
Following the season, Gallagher acknowledged he expected to be traded and openly expressed his desire to return home. His agent, Gerry Johansson, also confirmed discussions with the Canucks, identifying Vancouver as a potential destination.
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The Canadiens' willingness to retain the maximum 50 percent of Gallagher's salary while accepting only future considerations demonstrated their commitment to helping the veteran reach his preferred destination. The trade also continues an active day for the Canucks, who earlier dealt winger Nils Hoglander to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2029 third-round draft pick.
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