Brendan Gallagher traded to Vancouver after 14 seasons with Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have traded Brendan Gallagher to the Vancouver Canucks, ending a 14-season run with the only NHL organization the Edmonton native has ever played for.

General manager Kent Hughes confirmed the move Monday afternoon, expressing the organization's gratitude for Gallagher's tenure. "Brendan will always hold a special place in the hearts of Canadiens fans. He represented the team with such tremendous determination, passion and inspiring courage," Hughes said.

Gallagher, drafted in the fifth round (147th overall) in 2010, made his debut in 2012-13 and never left. He leads the current Canadiens in games played (911), goals (246), points (487), penalty minutes (594), and even-strength goals (194). Among everyone selected in his 2010 draft class, he ranks 10th in goals, 11th in games played, and 18th in points.

This past season was quieter for the 34-year-old. He suited up for 77 games in 2025-26, putting up seven goals and 16 assists, his role clearly shrunk by year's end. He was healthy scratched for the first time in his career and his playing time dried up in the playoffs — he dressed for just three of Montreal's 19 postseason contests as the Habs pushed to the Eastern Conference Final before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.

During the team's end-of-season media availability in early June, a visibly emotional Gallagher told reporters he expected to be playing elsewhere. Montreal retains 50% of his salary as part of the deal.