Montreal could unlock real cap flexibility by moving on from Brendan Gallagher and Samuel Montembeault, and one take argues it'd be worth doing even on the cheap.
The pitch came from Marc-Olivier Beaudoin. With genuine respect for both players, he wrote, it would be enormous for the Canadiens to clear Gallagher's $6.5 million and Montembeault's $3.15 million.
He went further. Even for future considerations, he said, or even if it costs late draft picks, shedding that money would be a major win.
A caveat first. This is a take, not a report, and it's framed with respect. The argument is about the cap, not the players' worth as people.
But the logic is hard to dismiss.
Beaudoin laid out the cap case cleanly.
"I have a lot of respect for both players/men, but it would be HUGE for the #CH to free up the salaries of Brendan Gallagher ($6,500,000) and Samuel Montembeault ($3,150,000), even if it's in exchange for future considerations. Or even if it costs late picks. $9,650,000 in additional flexibility is a massive asset for Kent Hughes. Can't wait to see if it will materialize before the draft!"
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Montembeault has suitors, Gallagher is the tougher sell
The two names break down very differently, though. Montembeault already has a market.
Maxime Truman reported Edmonton has strong interest, and the Oilers aren't the only team to call Montreal about him.
So moving the goalie is realistic, and Montreal might even get a return rather than pay to do it. That's the easier conversation.
Gallagher is the harder one. He's a 34-year-old heart-and-soul Canadien carrying a $6.5 million hit, but he managed just 23 points with seven goals this season.
That gap between salary and production is the whole point. Paying $6.5 million for that output is exactly the kind of contract a team looks to escape.
And the "late picks" detail tells the story. When you're willing to pay to shed money, it signals the contract is the obstacle, not the man. That's the cold math of dumping salary.
Here's the why for Montreal. The Canadiens are rising, reaching 106 points and sixth overall, and a young core needs cap room to extend and grow. Clearing veteran money is how you create it.
Here's my read: the Montembeault piece makes sense, since he has suitors and the crease can be reshaped. The Gallagher piece is the emotional, tougher call.
Paying to move a beloved veteran is cold, but sometimes it's necessary cap management. Respect the player, then weigh the dollars honestly.
So it's two different conversations for Kent Hughes. One movable asset with a market, one tough decision wrapped in loyalty. How he handles both shapes Montreal's flexibility for a bigger summer ahead.
Should Montreal pay to clear Gallagher's and Montembeault's salaries?
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