This past week the Montreal Canadiens signed one of their talented homegrown core to a long-term contract and in doing so, helped the Rangers begin to identify market value for Carl Hagelin’s next contract. Habs’ winger Brendan Gallagher is a comparable for Carl Hagelin in a variety of ways. Both players were mid-round draft picks, neither are blessed with great size, but both have established themselves as solid NHL’ers. Both are known for their work ethic, speed and overall games and not just for their production.

Gallagher’s new contract (six years with a cap hit of $3.75 million per year) is good value for the Habs given his increasing importance to his team and given some of the idiotic deals found around the league. Gallagher had 41 points and 19 goals last year and chipped in with 11 points as the Canadiens got to the Eastern Conference Finals only to lose to the Rangers. With 82 points in 150 games, Gallagher is averaging similar regular season production over his career as Hagelin (104 in 207). Both wingers also have similar post-season production as well (Hagelin had a point more than Gallagher last year).

Hagelin is important to the Rangers even though he sometimes doesn’t appear to get the credit he deserves. His speed forces opposing defenses to back off, he can be used up and down the line-up and is an excellent penalty killer. With uncertainty around next year’s cap, every dollar the Rangers can save on Hagelin’s next deal will be crucial, so the fact Gallagher received 3.75m per year is important.

Which player is more important to his team? This is where Hagelin may struggle to get the same contract as Gallagher. As a winger, Hagelin plays at arguably the Rangers’ deepest position. Yes, Hagelin is an excellent player who the team would surely love to retain, but the Rangers are stacked at wing. Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, Anthony Duclair and Rick Nash have NYR set for the long term even without factoring in Martin St Louis or kids such as J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast. Therefore they are not likely to be held to ransom for a player that is more luxury than necessity.

On the flip side, Gallagher is essential to the Habs. Aside from the always excellent Max Pacioretty, most of the Canadiens impact forwards are found down the middle of the ice. David Desharnais, Alex Galchenyuk and Tomas Plekanec give the Canadiens excellent depth at center. Keeping Gallagher in the fold allows the Habs to have some depth on the wing and thus, Gallagher fills a critical need in Montreal.

The Rangers should absolutely find a way to keep Hagelin. A selfless, team first player who has 25 goal upside and scares every team in the league with his speed, Hagelin is worth paying. Realistically, Hagelin could find his next deal paying him anywhere between 3.5 and 4.5m per year. Exactly how much Hagelin gets paid will of course be influenced by how many years he demands, but it may have just been influenced by the Canadiens and Brendan Gallagher.

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