Here’s what it would cost to buy out Brendan Gallagher

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Here’s what it would cost to buy out Brendan Gallagher
Credit: Getty Images

Brendan Gallagher scored in his last game. And that's a good thing.

But you know as well as I do that the Montreal Canadiens' little warrior just doesn't get it done anymore. He's had his moments in recent years, but more often than not, he's out of breath and not producing.

His numbers don't lie.

(Credit: Hockey DB)

Everyone loves Gally and his fire, but it's clear that the wear and tear on his body means he's not playing up to the standards of a guy who's worth $6.5 million a year on the salary cap until July 1, 2027.

Kent Hughes, of necessity, must be wondering how to handle the situation. After all, we're talking about a much-appreciated veteran, but the idea of having him skip games in the short term is becoming more and more popular.

Since he's hardly ever been injured in recent years, he's always available and doesn't miss games by default.

But it also goes beyond that: should the club be thinking of ways to keep him out of the 23-man roster for next season?

If so, there aren't many solutions. Trading him won't be easy; he seems to be too healthy to buy a little plot of land on Robidas Island…

And if not, he can be bought back. The idea is circulating more and more…

If the Canadiens ever wanted to buy him out (there's no guarantee they'd go that route with a veteran like Gallagher, who's always been with the Canadiens) this summer, they'd have to pay him 67% of his actual salary (which is $4 million) in 2026-2027.

But what's interesting is what impact a potential buyout would have on the payroll.

  • 2026-2027: $3,833,333, i.e. $2,666,667 less than the projected amount on the payroll without a buyback
  • 2027-2028: $1,333,333, i.e. $1,333,333 more than the projected amount on mass without a buyback (since his contract would be finished)

Do the Habs need to save $2.67 million next year to buy out Gally and have $1.33 million more on their books the following year? We don't have the answer – and Kent Hughes certainly doesn't either, since the Habs don't yet know what their summer will look like.

But it's worth keeping in mind. After all, it'll be a delicate matter with a veteran who bleeds blue-white-red.


overtime

– His number will be retired tonight.

– The Habs will have an 11:30 practice this morning.

– Tonight's game will be important for the standings.

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