The biggest problem here is we have too many LD already and we need RD. Maybe if you add Beauvillier and a 2nd for Matheson it would make more sense from the Habs perspective.

Gallagher is easier to hide in a lineup, and is heading towards LTIR retirement in a year or two. Habs keep Gally.

I just don't see the point for either team. At least with Gally there's a chance he becomes perma-LTIR'd. I'd prefer that to OEL even though I'd say he's probably a little better overall than Gally is right now.[/quote

Gallagher potentially going on LTIR for retirement would be Vancouver’s reasoning. As for the habs, maybe OEL could resurrect his career playing for St Louis on a lower expectations, rebuilding habs team. With the habs likely trading Edmundson this year and Savard next year, they still need a couple veteran defencemen not named Wideman to play with all the young guys, plus I think OEL has the higher potential of being worth something at the 2026 trade deadline than Gallagher does.