Vancouver Canucks acquire underrated veteran weapon
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Brendan Gallagher may not put up eye-popping numbers anymore, but according to one former NHL defenseman, his value to the Vancouver Canucks goes far beyond the scoresheet.
Speaking on Sekeres and Price, former Canucks blueliner Frank Corrado broke down why the Gallagher trade could pay off for Vancouver this season, even if the results on the ice are rocky.
A Voice In The Room
Corrado pointed to Gallagher's presence as a difference-maker for a Canucks team that could be in for a challenging year.
But I think there's something to be said for the role that he can play on that team, how big his voice is, how positive he is. He's really a cheerful guy, happy guy around the rink and he brings a lot of positivity to the table in a year that has the potential to be filled with a lot of losses.
Vancouver acquired Gallagher from the Montreal Canadiens in June, with Montreal retaining 50 percent of his $6.5 million cap hit.
The move reunited him with former teammate Manny Malhotra, now Vancouver's head coach, and brought the Tsawwassen product back to the province where he starred for the WHL's Vancouver Giants.
Leadership Over Losses
For a rebuilding Canucks roster with plenty of young players still finding their way, Corrado believes Gallagher's personality could shape the locker room culture more than his production line.
Having a guy like that who can kind of steer properly and shape some of the focus and some of the perspective, it's going to be important
Gallagher spent 14 seasons in Montreal, recording 246 goals and 487 points across 911 games, establishing himself as one of the most respected competitors of his generation despite his smaller frame.
That warrior reputation earned him a lasting legacy in Montreal, and the Canucks are hoping some of that grit rubs off on their younger core.
Whether that experience translates into wins remains to be seen, but its impact on the dressing room should not be underestimated during a rebuild that could test everyone's patience.
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