Brendan Gallagher's Heart Has Pumped Canadiens' Lifeblood for 14 Seasons
Nothing about the sunset of Brendan Gallagher's career is going to be simple or straightforward, but with a little load management, the Montreal Canadiens winger can still be a useful and impactful player for the team. After 14 grueling seasons in the NHL, Gallagher's legacy is one of unwavering heart and relentless determination.
A Career Built on Mileage and Grit
Legendary sportswriter Pat Hickey has junked cars with less mileage than Brendan Gallagher has put on his 33-year-old body. In hockey miles, Gallagher was already past the half-million mark on October 14, 2020, the date he signed his current six-year, $39 million contract, which expires at the end of next season. Arguably the most beloved player to wear the CH during his tenure, Gallagher has absorbed everything the NHL can throw at a player.
This includes a Shea Weber sizzler that broke his left hand in 2017. For most of his career, it has been open season on Gallagher. If he so much as breathes on a goaltender, it's called interference, but the league's larger players could spear him in the ribs, crosscheck him in the back, and butt-end him in the nose with little consequence from officials.
The Price of Perseverance
It takes a significant toll, but Gallagher has never backed away from the greasy areas of the ice. Heart, soul, courage, grit, and determination to win—Gallagher possesses enough of these qualities to supply the entire Toronto Maple Leafs roster, with plenty left over to jump-start the moribund New York Rangers. All that comes with a price, however.
Gallagher won't turn 34 until May. While not that old, even in the merciless world of the NHL, he has taken a beating to keep on ticking. As he displayed in a recent painful loss to the Anaheim Ducks, with a little load management, Gallagher can still be a useful player simply by doing what he does best: going to the net and creating havoc.
Management and Moving Forward
Mercifully, the Canadiens have one of the best management groups in the business, including head coach Martin St. Louis. If anyone can figure out how to handle Gallagher's wind-down phase to everyone's benefit, they can. The focus will be on maximizing his remaining contributions while preserving his health and legacy.
Broader NHL Issues: Player Safety Concerns
The article also highlights ongoing concerns about player safety in the NHL, particularly regarding Radko Gudas. Gudas recently avoided significant discipline after a knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews, raising questions about the effectiveness of the department of player safety, run by George Parros.
During Parros's tenure since 2017, his department has had zero effect on deterring cheap-shot artists like Gudas. Gudas is out there to injure, having taken out the captain of Team Canada and the captain of the Maple Leafs in less than a month. Many argue he should not see the ice again for half a season, but until player safety is run by someone with the fortitude to shut such players down, the nasty hits will continue.
Montreal Victoire's Challenges
In women's hockey, the Montreal Victoire blew a 3-0 third-period lead in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Fleet. Head coach Kori Cheverie tried to spin it as a positive learning experience, but losing crucial games to the Fleet is becoming a habit. With captain Marie-Philip Poulin reinjuring the leg she hurt at the Olympics, the Victoire may face bigger issues than a single loss.
Heroes and Zeros
The piece concludes with a list of heroes and zeros, celebrating figures like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Brendan Gallagher, while criticizing entities like the department of player safety and Radko Gudas. This reflects the broader themes of appreciation for dedication and frustration with systemic issues in sports.
