Brendan Gallagher has been traded.

The Montreal Canadiens have done it.

Many were anticipating that long time Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher would be moving on after his emotional end of season media availability and now that speculation has been confirmed.

On Monday, Canadiens insider Eric Engels confirmed that Gallagher would be moving on when he revealed that Gallagher had been dealt to the Vancouver Canucks. It was a move that many had expected would become a reality but the way the Canadiens have gone about this speaks to the level of love and respect the organization and it's owners have for the only player involved in this trade.

The Canadiens will receive nothing in exchange for Gallagher, instead sending him to his destination of choice and only getting "future considerations" in return which in this case I suspect will be no return at all. Not only are the Canadiens giving away Gallagher for free, but according to Engels they have also agreed to retain 50% of Gallagher's salary in order to make this deal a reality.

Gallagher has been a heart and soul type of player for the Canadiens since they hit the lottery when they drafted him in the 5th round (147th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Since that time he has gone on to play 911 games for the Canadiens and recorded 246 goals and 241 assists for 487 career points so far. Throughout that time Gallagher proved to be a tenacious and fearless competitor, one that had a knack for driving his opponents crazy on the ice.

There will be no debate about who won this trade, the Canucks take this one by a landslide, but I also believe that the Canadiens will walk away winners in this situation. Treating a beloved player like this on his way out is no doubt something that other players around the league will take note of when it comes time to consider the Canadiens as a potential team to play for.