Brendan Gallagher: another '1,000-game controversy' looming in Montreal

Gallagher hasn’t been injured (to the point of missing games, at least) in years. He hasn’t missed a game this season, he played 82 games last year… and he missed five games in 2023-2024 due to suspension.

Is it possible that he could play another 109 consecutive games until the end of his current contract? It’s possible.

But if we had to bet, we’d say that the chances of him being forced to miss a game between now and April 2027, for whatever reason, are good.Gally isn’t getting any younger…

If he were to miss between one and 10 games and not be traded before then, he would finish his contract in 2027 on the verge of reaching the 1,000-game plateau. And then there would be unnecessary controversy ahead.

Think I’m exaggerating?

Let me remind you that we’restilltalkingabout the990 games played by Andrei Markov. Let me also remind you that Marc Bergevin took a different path with Tomas Plekanec by signing him to a contract to come back and play his 1,000th game in Montreal.

Unbeknownst to many, this is an important issue for a lot of people. Milestones always get people talking because the NHL is good at emphasizing them.

And everyone has an opinion on the matter.

In my opinion, the problem isn’t that Markov didn’t play his 1,000th NHL game. In my opinion, the problem is that the habs let go of a defenseman who could still help.

No, the habs did not have “a better defense than the year before” without him…

I see the same problem looming with Gally in a year and a half. If he hasn’t reached the 1,000-game milestone, fans will be unhappy to see the Canadiens potentially let him go so close to the goal.

Because yes, the chances of him leaving Montreal in the summer of 2027 are good right now. And that’s even though he’s playing good hockey as we speak.

In 2027, the Canadiens won’t be able to afford to give out contracts for fun: ideally, they’ll be fighting for the Cup. And it would be a shame if a 1,000-game controversy potentially tainted the front office’s summer of work.

A GM must have the detachment to put his emotions aside and makebusiness decisions. And that’s even if we’re talking about a guy who really gave his all for the Habs jersey.

Overtime

– I understand why Tom Brady (Raiders shareholder) doesn’t want to comment. And I understand why the Patriots guys are pissed off that he’s not publicly supporting his former club in the Super Bowl.

– Stay tuned for more on this story.

– Power rankings: the habs are eighth.

– Anthony Calvillo will call the Alouettes’ offensive plays in 2026. [LP]

– Wow.