Brendan Gallagher Traded to Vancouver, Ending 14 Seasons with Montreal

On Monday, the Vancouver Canucks acquired veteran forward Brendan Gallagher from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for future considerations. Montreal retained 50 % of Gallagher’s $6.5 million cap hit, which includes $4 million in salary, while the player entered the trade with one year remaining on his contract. The move fulfills Gallagher’s expressed desire to join a team in the Lower Mainland and provides Vancouver with a seasoned winger for the upcoming season.

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Drafted 147th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Gallagher spent his entire professional career with Montreal, appearing in 911 games, scoring 246 goals and adding 487 points. In the 2025-26 regular season he played 77 games, posting seven goals and 23 points, and contributed one goal in three postseason contests as the Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference finals. A native of Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Gallagher previously starred for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants before turning pro, giving him a personal connection to the Vancouver market.

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• Brendan Gallagher – 34-year-old forward, one-year contract.

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• Ryan Johnson – General Manager, Vancouver Canucks, orchestrated the acquisition.

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• Manny Malhotra – Head Coach, Vancouver Canucks, former Montreal teammate (2014-15).

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• Nils Hoglander – Vancouver winger traded to Nashville for a 2029 third-round pick; missed most of the prior season after ankle surgery.

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• Chris MacFarland – General Manager, Nashville Predators, commented on Hoglander’s potential role.

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• Mid-March 2025 – Gallagher became a healthy scratch for Montreal, sparking speculation about his future.

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• June 1 2025 – During end-of-season media availability, Gallagher stated, “It’s pretty clear I’ll be kind of moving on from here.”

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• June 3 2025 – Vancouver completed the Gallagher trade and subsequently dealt Hoglander to Nashville for a 2029 third-round selection.

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• Contract: $6.5 million cap hit; Montreal retains $3.25 million.

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• 2025-26 Production: 7 goals, 23 points (77 games); 1 goal in 3 playoff games.

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• Career Totals (Montreal): 246 goals, 487 points in 911 games.

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• Hoglander: 2 years remaining, $3 million cap hit; 2023-24 best season – 24 goals, 36 points.

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For Vancouver, Gallagher adds veteran leadership, a high-energy work ethic, and a marketable local connection that GM Ryan Johnson described as “important” for the club’s identity. Retaining 50 % of his cap hit eases Montreal’s salary-cap constraints while allowing the Canadiens to re-tool the roster ahead of the 2025-26 season. The simultaneous Hoglander trade signals Vancouver’s intent to reshape its forward depth with younger, high-motor players.

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Canucks GM Ryan Johnson praised Gallagher’s character and competitive style, emphasizing the player’s ties to the Lower Mainland and his potential to set standards for younger teammates. Nashville GM Chris MacFarland highlighted Hoglander’s “relentless, high-energy style of play” and expressed confidence that the winger can assume a key role with the Predators. Montreal’s public comments focused on facilitating Gallagher’s preferred destination without detailing further strategic rationale.

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No source provided explicit criticism of the trade; coverage remained neutral, focusing on factual details and organizational perspectives.

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• “Brendan is a quality individual and a very good hockey player,” — Ryan Johnson, General Manager, Vancouver Canucks

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• “We love the way he competes and leads by example.” — Ryan Johnson, General Manager, Vancouver Canucks

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• “It's pretty clear I'll be kind of moving on from here.” — Brendan Gallagher, forward

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• “He is a 25-year-old experienced winger who is known for his relentless, high-energy style of play, bringing a consistent motor to the lineup night after night,” — Chris MacFarland, General Manager, Nashville Predators

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Gallagher will report to Vancouver’s training camp in September, where he is expected to compete for a top-six forward role and mentor younger players. The Canucks will integrate Hoglander’s replacement into their roster, while Montreal will assess cap-flexibility options ahead of the 2025-26 free-agency period.

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