Does Gallagher still belong on the Canadiens' Top-6?
Is Brendan Gallagher still part of the Montreal Canadiens' Top-6 on offense? This question arises, because even though his annual salary of $6.5 million makes him the highest paid forward in the organization, Gallagher seems to have fallen down the offensive hierarchy of the Tricolore in recent months.
However, Gallagher is determined to show that he is still capable of being part of the team's core offense, despite his grueling style of play and the injury history that comes with it.
Analysts Martin Lemay and Anthony Marcotte of 91.9 Sports questioned this during their show Le retour des sportifs, and the latter came to the conclusion that while he probably won't start the season on the team's top two lines, it's very likely that Gallagher will be seen on the Top-6 at some point in the campaign.
After all, head coach Dominique Ducharme will have to find new linemates for Gallagher, as Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar both left the team via free agency over the summer.
It is also possible that the team's other right wingers, starting with Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson, will have a tougher time this season. Caufield will be in his first full season in the professional ranks, while Anderson was a victim of offensive lethargy at times last season.
Gallagher may have a chance to return to a role similar to the one he is used to, as he has produced at a rate of at least 30 goals per 82 games in each of the last four seasons. However, he will have to stay healthy if he really wants to keep a regular spot on the top two lines.
So, what do you think? On which lineup and with which teammates do you see Brendan Gallagher playing this season?
