‘I fear we are witnessing the end of Brendan Gallagher’: St-Louis faces a defining lineup decision
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Brendan Gallagher is once again at the center of discussion with the Montreal Canadiens.
Over his last 17 games, Gallagher has one goal and two assists. On the season, he has totaled 13 points in 41 games, which sums up his difficult winter. At 33 years old, with a $6.5M cap hit, the spotlight remains firmly on him.
Martin St-Louis Will Have to Make a Call
“The Gally conversation is gonna have to come up soon when some injured players come back…”
– HFTV
The real discomfort begins with the return of injured forwards. Josh Anderson was out, but that situation won’t last forever. When the infirmary clears out, there will not be enough chairs for all the forwards.
Names like Jake Evans, Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, and Patrik Laine come to mind. That’s where the debate becomes uncomfortable, because no one wants to point fingers.
Does it really make sense to scratch Alexandre Texier or Samuel Blais to keep Gallagher in the lineup? Both can contribute on a game-to-game basis, and their spots are not being handed to them.
At the same time, No. 11 remains an important face in the room, and his contract isn’t going anywhere. The problem is that the production isn’t there, and the recent stretches speak loudly.
One goal in 17 games is the kind of stat line that fuels discussion after every loss. In the NHL, patience exists-but it always has an expiration date. This is shaping up to be a headache, and not just on social media.
The ideal scenario is simple: Gallagher starts scoring over a solid stretch, and everyone turns the page. If there’s no response, the words “out of the lineup” will eventually be spoken, even in Montreal.
And once the injured players are back, the decision will no longer be theoretical.
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‘I fear we are witnessing the end of Brendan Gallagher’: St-Louis faces a defining lineup decision
Should Brendan Gallagher remain in Martin St-Louis’ lineup when the injured players return?
