I’m not a Gallagher fan by any stretch but it takes skill to score 31 goals in 2017-18, 33 goals in 2018-19 and to have been on a 30 goal pace in 2019-20 until the pandemic cut the season short.
That’s 3 straight years of 30 goals or more production (or pace for the third season).
He’s broken down and has had accidental hand injuries but that doesn’t deter from the fact that his level of skill allowed for that significant goal production while achieving it without the benefit of playing with top end offensive line mates as he would have had on most other teams.
Most of his goals are from grinding in front of the net and and direct result of his perseverance and desire. His NHL highlight reel isn't filled with him beating endless players 1 on 3. His clips are all of him out working other players and jamming pucks into the net right before he is obliterated in retaliation.
There are far more talented players than Gallagher that never play more than a few games (if any) in the NHL because they don't have his drive and work ethic.
Reminds me of when Crosby and Ribeiro's coach was asked if Crosby was the most talented player he ever coached. He said that Reberio had the most talent and ability he had ever seen but Crosby had a substantially better work ethic.
All these players are so talent that the margins are very small. Gallagher is one of the hardest working players in the NHL and his body is starting to show it.
Gallagher is all heart and perseverance. It takes massive balls to skate to the front of the net and take the abuse he does on every single shift.
He does this every single shift and every single night. That is what makes Gallagher so successful. Gallagher is no where near the talent of other players but he has abnormally high work ethic and perseverance. You can have a great career doing exactly what he does driving the net over and over. You can also score a pile of goals like he has done from 3 feet away from the net. Most just can't take the punishment and Gallagher certainly doesn't shy away from that.
Whether an A or a C; this is the type of person you want in your leadership group. Players see Gallagher taking a beating on every single shift and it is infectious. They look and think "If he can do it at his size what is my excuse". It pushes the while group to be better and work harder.
