Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Brendan Gallagher admitted that watching the Montreal Canadiens’ 2026 playoff run was painful, according to TVA Sports.
For a competitor like Gallagher, that frustration is easy to understand.
The 34-year-old forward, now with the Vancouver Canucks, has been opening up more about his departure from Montreal.
He still faces questions about how things ended, though he remains grateful for his 14 years with the Canadiens.
His answer made it clear just how much the experience had affected him.
Brendan Gallagher admits Canadiens’ playoff decisions made his final months in Montreal difficult
Gallagher saw limited action during the 2026 playoffs, appearing only in Games 5, 6 and 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
And he felt he made the most of those opportunities.
Gallagher explained that once people make up their minds, changing their perception is difficult. He also sensed during the regular season that the Canadiens were preparing to move on without him.
Watching longtime teammates compete in the playoffs while he sat on the sidelines was especially frustrating.
But Gallagher didn’t want his situation to become a distraction in the locker room, adding another mental challenge to an already difficult stretch.
Despite everything, he holds no grudges. He wishes his former teammates well and understands that sometimes you simply have to accept a decision and move forward.
Life in Vancouver hasn’t offered much relief, either.
Gallagher has managed just one assist in eleven games this season, with a -4 rating. The Canucks are 2-9-1 and allowing 4.6 goals per game.
It’s been a rough start for everyone involved.
Gallagher will face the Canadiens twice this season, on February 1 in Vancouver and March 6 in Montreal. His return to the Bell Centre should bring a warm reception from the fans.
His words about the playoff experience spoke volumes.
“It’s been very tough. You deal with your emotions… I was in there against Tampa Bay.
I did my job, and I played well. And then… like I’ve said before, it’s difficult to change people’s minds once they’ve made up their minds.”
– Brendan Gallagher
Gallagher has turned the page, but his comments make one thing clear: the way his time in Montreal ended still stings.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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