
Brendan Gallagher, RW, Montreal Canadiens
Another option from the Habs, Brendan Gallagher isn’t as versatile as Tatar as he only plays right-wing, but he’s cheaper with just a $3.75 million cap hit and younger at 27 years old.
When Gallagher has a healthy season, he’s usually scoring 20 to 30 goals. In the last two seasons, he’s played all 82 games and scored more than 30 goals.
As of right now, Gallagher has played in 47 games this season, scored 18 goals and 36 points, and has a +/- of +7 on a team that’s in the bottom half of the league in goals against.
Out of the three men I named in this piece, I believe that Gallagher is the best fit for the New York Islanders, as the Islanders are thin at natural right-wingers and at forwards with right-handed shots. He’s the only right-handed shot and the lone one that only plays right wing on this shortlist.
Not only is he the only right-handed shot on this list, but he’s also the best defensively, having more takeaways than turnovers like Saad, but a better +/- than Saad. Gallagher could also be used on the powerplay. The Habs don’t seem to use him on their powerplay, but he has one powerplay goal this season, so he can be used.
If the Islanders were to make a move for Gallagher, he would have the highest price out of these three players because he’s the youngest and cheapest option.
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The trade would most likely include several Islanders draft picks, including their first, a second, and possibly a third-rounder. The package probably wouldn’t be finished there as the Habs would most likely ask for a prospect or two.