Brendan Gallagher can’t help but smile when asked when was his last game when he felt 100% physically.
The Montreal Canadiens forward has not been spared from injury this season, finding himself sidelined four times.
“I would like to say that every time I start a game, I feel healthy,” said Brendan Gallagher on Monday, who could return to action on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators after an eight-game absence. to a lower body injury.
“You pick up a few war wounds along the way, but the reason I’m in training is because I believe I can help the team,” he added.
A warrior”
Gallagher has been limited to 5 goals and 9 assists in 43 games this season. Having also missed 21 games in 2020-2021, he had only collected 14 goals and 9 assists in 35 games.
“He’s a warrior,” goaltender Jake Allen said of Gallagher. In his 10 years in the NHL, there aren’t many players who have worked so hard and gotten their noses so dirty going in front of the net. There aren’t many players who are willing to sacrifice themselves like that, and that’s why he is so respected. »
“I’m sure he’s looking forward to having the whole summer to rest and prepare physically, and then he’ll be ready for next season. He is an important part of this team. »
Gallagher stressed that physical preparation was an important part of his game. He also recalled that the last summer had been short, after the Canadian’s long journey to the Stanley Cup final.
The 29-year-old British Columbian only had a month and a half to recover and get the machine going before the start of Habs camp in September.
Gallagher, who had two 30-plus NHL-goal campaigns, also said he wasn’t always destined for such a career.
“Summer is probably a bit more important to me than to other players in the league because I didn’t make it here because of my talent. I am here today because I am able to be intense. I think I’m a smart player, and there are certain things I manage to do well every night. But it ends up being hard on the body, and it takes time to get over it. »
Small steps forward
The departures of Gallagher’s accomplices from the previous three seasons — Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar — may have also had consequences for the fiery winger’s production.
The team’s interim head coach, Martin St-Louis, said he doesn’t necessarily want to find perfect new linemates for Gallagher by the end of the season. However, he would like to see him end the campaign on a positive note.
“He can then bring that with him for his training this summer,” said St-Louis. For chemistry, we will see next season. I’m not here for that right now. I want to try to help “Gally” work on his game, hoping he has a good end to the season. »
Gallagher also noted that St. Louis was trying to help him develop different aspects of his game, not just go for the net. “‘Marty’ understands my game, which allows me to be successful, but he noted that in certain situations, maybe I would benefit from staying further away from the puck to find free spaces, explained Gallagher. Maybe I wouldn’t have to work so hard, and maybe I’d become more useful. It’s little things like that. And that led to a lot of scoring chances. »
Gallagher will have plenty of time this summer to get back into shape. And if St. Louis manages to adapt some aspects of Gallagher’s game, perhaps the forward could regain his offensive touch while reducing the number of war injuries he takes each game.