The Montreal Canadiens announced on Wednesday that they have officially signed winger Brendan Gallagher to a six-year extension worth $39 million. The contact also includes an annual average value of $6.5 million.
Gallagher was due to become a free agent following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. As well, this deal sets in place just a day after reported surfaced, suggesting talks had broken off.
This past season, Gallagher played 59 games and finished the season with 43 points. 22 of those were on goals in which the forward led the category for Montreal. He also took part in nine playoff games before being sidelined due to a jaw injury. He returned for the NHL playoffs, putting up a single goal along with three assists.
Gallagher also led in shots with 226 and finished with a +9 differential. Over his eight seasons with the Canadiens, Gallagher has scored 173 goals along with 161 assists in 547 games. This has made for 334 points.
His 173 goals rank him 17th in goals scored in team history among wingers. He also added 11 goals and 14 assists in 49 playoff games. Back in 2012-13, Gallagher, from Edmonton, Alberta, earned himself a selection to the All-Star Rookie Team.
As reported by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the contract includes a full movement clause and a modified no-trade clause through the lifetime of the deal.
Gallagher was drafted by the Canadiens 147th overall back in 2010. This was in the draft’s fifth round. The forward brings international experience playing for the Canadian National Team at the IIHF World Championship. Doing so in 2012, Gallagher skated in six games, having scored three goals along with three assists. He played again in 2016 where he recorded five points while also netting two goals.