Oilers Should Target Brendan Gallagher If Canadiens Trade Him – Hockey Writers –

The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated from the postseason following a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals, and while their contention window has just opened and they have a promising core of players that should be able to help the team make another deep run next season, there are a few changes they are expected to make.

Brendan Gallagher, a lifelong member of the Canadiens, says he will be leaving the Habs. At the press conference, she was in tears, and said, “Obviously I’m still going to be here. But I’m amazing, incredibly… I’m very lucky.”

Gallagher continued: “The fans, from Day 1, it’s been an honor to play in front of them. It’s an opportunity that a lot of players don’t get in this league. I’ve had to do it for 14 years now. It’s not lost on me how special it was to call the Bell Center home.”

Gallagher, 34 years old, is entering the final season of a six-year, $6.5 million contract. He has a no-movement clause (NMC), and a 6-team no-trade list, which means he will not be assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL), and can prevent six teams from acquiring him.

The Canadiens may have trouble clearing Gallagher’s entire contract, making it possible for the Habs to consider buying him. By doing this, the Habs will save $2.67 million next season, and will be at risk of $1.33 million for the 2027-28 season.

Although Gallagher said he would welcome a chance to play for the Vancouver Canucks, there is a fit with the Edmonton Oilers, who will be looking to strengthen their core forward a bit this offseason, and could benefit from some additional leadership.

Not at $6.5 million, though. Considering the Oilers are already tied for cap space, Gallagher would be considered another suitor should the Canadiens shop him. Gallagher was born in Edmonton, and considering they are rivals, he would agree to join them on a team-friendly contract.

Oilers Need Experienced Depth at Right Price

The Oilers have a list of needs this offseason, including adding a goaltender and creating cap space by trading Darnell Nurse, but they need to bring depth up front. Their main goal for their forward group is to bring in a top six player, but adding a veteran like Gallagher seems like a good fit.

Gallagher will create internal competition in the front six, and with Trent Frederic coming off a disastrous 2025-26 campaign, it won’t hurt to push him, and some of the smaller forwards fighting for a spot, every night.

He had a bit of a down season, scoring just 23 points in 77 games, but his stats still look good.

Gallagher won’t be a player expected to produce a lot of offense, but in a small role where he can create offensively and play his physical style, he can be effective.

On a short-term deal of around $1 million, Gallagher may be able to bring back the veteran leadership and experience lost when the Oilers lost Corey Perry in free agency, but time will tell if they are interested in bringing him in.

If the Canadiens buy him, the Oilers should end up with Gallagher. If they keep him and decide to try to trade him, he’s out of their price range, and they should look to get depth elsewhere.

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