That is a trade and sign (Stone example). I can see how you'd get them confused, but they are entirely different things.

I don't know if NJD is right place for him - or what a trade would look like - but if Habs fans are expecting Holtz+ type return, I got bad news.

I got it confused?

Sign-and-Trade vs Trade-and-Sign

The example you gave was the latter

Jersey is literally the last place place I see Gallagher going.
He'd go to a contender at the deadline that is going for it but so are the Habs so here we are.

Habs are barely over the cap rn. They just need to put Weal in the minors. They are not in a rush and I don't see how they move Gally in the off season when no one has any cap space. It's not happening. the guy is tight with Price and Weber. both of whom want to go for it!

I don't think NJD would go after him as long as they have Palmieri...and Holtz on the way.

TSN said Vancouver as possible destination.

(Gallagher is also tight with NJD rookie Ty Smith, fwiw)

1-year of Gallagher is not getting Smith, nor a 1st, and definitely not Holtz.

Mark Stone is not a good comparison for Brendan Gallagher...Stone is a lot better, especially defensively.
But if you want to use the Stone comp...Reilly Walsh, Miles Wood, and 2021st 2nd would be the trade.

Other comps
Gustav Nyquist: a 2nd and a 3rd.
Wayne Simmons: Hartman and a 4th

So....Merkley +2nd is probably a realistic return for both sides.

3 months of Goodrow got a 1st rounder. And Gallagher compares to Stone a lot more than he does to Nyquist . Ty Smith and a 1st for a rental. Holtz if an extension is part of the trade. Habs would rather lose him for nothing than get some crappy players who would never make our nhl roster.

Goodrow had 1.5 years left. Was on $925k salary. And that 1st rounder was always going to be a late pick.
Gallagher has 1 year left. Is on $3.75 million salary. And the NJD 1st rounder will likely be a lottery pick.

According to Evolving Hockey, the five most similar players to Brendan Gallagher are:
Justin Williams
Tomas Tatar
Mikhail Grabovski
Mathieu Perreault
Ryane Clowe

The five most similar to Mark Stone
Jonathan Toews
Sean Couturier
Sidney Crosby
Taylor Hall
Daniel Sedin

Just let it go, man. He is a fan favorite and Habs fans don't want to see him go. That is enough to say no deal.