Montreal Canadiens mini power forward Brendan Gallagher met the media Monday for the first time since having surgery to repair a couple of broken fingers. While he's yet to begin skating, he's got Jan. 1 circled on his calendar.
The Canadiens will face the Boston Bruins outdoors at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. in the Winter Classic to ring in the new year, and Gallagher's hoping to play in the game - while at the same time acknowledging the chances are minuscule.
"There's a very slim chance I get in there," he said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
Gallagher had surgery on Nov. 23, and was originally deemed to miss six weeks. He had screws and plates inserted in both of his damaged digits.
"I think it is just a very broad timeline," Gallagher said, according to the Canadiens' website. "It might be earlier, it might be later but I am just trying to get back as soon as possible. It’s been coming along nicely and I’m happy with the progression so far."
One thing the injury won't do is change the way Gallagher plays.
"Ever since junior hockey that’s the way I was taught to block shots," Gallagher added. "It is something that I have watched quite a few times. It is just how I block shots and the way I play the game, so nothing is going to change when I get back. It is an unfortunate that I am out of the lineup for some time, but if I could do it all over again I would play the game the same way."
Reporter: Were you assured you would be able to shoot the same after surgery? Gallagher: I can't make any promises. We'll see. #Habs
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) December 7, 2015
Gallagher was having an excellent season prior to being hurt, with nine goals and 10 assists in 22 games on Montreal's top line. He hates to be hurt, but the fact his team continues to perform, and the fact he's joined - unfortunately - on the sidelines by No. 1 goalie Carey Price makes things a little easier for him to swallow.
"Obviously you don’t want Carey to be injured, but the fact that we’re going through this together helps us to be a little more mentally sane coming to the rink," Gallagher said. "It’s good to have him around. We have as much fun as we can in the situation we’re in."
Gallagher has a lot more time on his hands than usual these days, and he also addressed a recent Twitter battle he got into with a former NHLer:
Brendan Gallagher comments on Twitter wars with Jim Kyte: pic.twitter.com/DwTlBRGSyM
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) December 7, 2015
