Off-Season Watch: What’s next for Gallagher, Laine?

Free Agent Frenzy is just under one month away and TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest news and rumours as the NHL off-season heats up.

Gallagher, Laine set to leave Montreal

Change appears to be coming for two Montreal Canadiens veterans this summer.

Both Brendan Gallagher and Patrik Laine appeared to make it clear Monday that their time with the franchise is at end. Gallagher remains signed through next season with a full no-move clause and will have to be moved via a trade or a buyout.

Moving for Laine will be easier process as he approaches unrestricted free agency.

Gallagher posted seven goals and 23 points in 77 games during the regular season, but appeared in just three playoff games, posting one goal. The 34-year-old winger was the oldest player on Montreal’s roster this season and saw a career-low 12:21 of ice time.

He spent the four seasons before making the leap with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants and said Monday he has thought about returning to the city.

“That’s an opportunity that’s there,” he said. “I’ll sit down with my wife and figure out what’s best for our family and you go forward.”

“But certainly, Vancouver, it would be a great place,” he added.

While he may not fit the rebuilding image of the Canucks, Patrick Johnston of the Vancouver Province believes Gallagher could provide a veteran presence as the team looks to build a new culture moving forward.

“You need players who can play in the NHL and you need veterans who can set the standard every day for their teammates, holding a spot for the future,” Johnston wrote Monday. “Gallagher could play a role in that.”

Gallagher has spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the Canadiens, having been selected by the team in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.

As for Laine, he heads towards the open market after appearing in just five games this season, posting one assist. The 28-year-old winger was sidelined for most of the season after undergoing core muscle surgery in late October, being given a four-to-five month timeline for return.

He was cleared to return by medical staff, but never got the opportunity to dress again as the season went on.

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun notes that there was incentive for Laine to remain on injured reserve as he can now sign a bonus-laden contract with a lower base salary which will make him more appealing to teams on the open market.

With his four-year, $34.8 million contract expiring this summer, Laine expressed Monday that he is looking forward to finding a new home.

“Just excited where the wind takes me next year,” said Laine. “I’m excited to see new opportunities, see where it goes. I’m not too worried about it right now. Just right now, take a little breather and relax and then get back at it.”

Leaving the NHL, however, is not in his plans.

“I know I’ll be playing in this league for a long time,” Laine added. “That’s not a question. Never something I’ve doubted. Just going to need an opportunity. In great shape, feel good. Still got a lot of time before next season. That’s definitely something I’m not worried about.

“But I think this year was especially hard since I didn’t play a lot of games and all that but learned things about myself this year I probably wouldn’t have otherwise and learned how to handle tough situations that will last me for a lifetime way beyond hockey.”

As for the Canadiens, the team is currently projected to have $10.9 million in cap space this off-season with 20 players currently under contract for next season, per PuckPedia. The team will clear another $6.5 million by moving Gallagher without salary retention.

Montreal has four pending restricted free agents in need of new deals in Kirby Dach, Joseph Veleno, Zack Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj.

Top 30 Free Agents List

In case you missed it, TSN’s first list of pending 2026 NHL unrestricted free agents dropped Monday, featuring the top 30 names ahead of July 1.

Four of the top six players, including No. 1-ranked Vegas defenceman Rasmus Andersson are right shots.

The only exception is Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky, the No. 4-ranked, two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie, who rightfully takes his place among this year’s elite potential unrestricted free agents after fulfilling a seven-year, $10-million annual average value deal with the Panthers.

Andersson, 29, and Bobrovsky, 37, are joined by No. 2 Tampa Bay right defenceman Darren Raddysh, No. 3 Buffalo right winger Alex Tuch, No. 5 Anaheim right defenceman John Carlson and No. 6 Anaheim right defenceman Jacob Trouba.

Rounding out the top top are four forwards in Bobby McMann, Boone Jenner, Scott Laughton and Anthony Mantha.

Here is the full list:

TSN Hockey’s Top 30 UFA List