The Vancouver Canucks are sending Conor Garland to the Columbus Blue Jackets, in a trade that sees a 2nd round pick in 2028, and a 3rd round pick in 2026 come back Vancouver’s way.
Garland, who has played 5 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, currently carries a cap-hit $4.95 million AAV for this season, of which the Canucks will not retain any salary on. Garland signed an extension with the Canucks last summer that carries a cap-hit of 6 million AAV over the next 6 years. Importantly, Garland’s next contract also comes with a full no-move clause for the first 3 years of the deal, meaning the Canucks had a big choice to make. Move on from Garland now, or keep him in the fold for the rebuild at a minimum of 3 more seasons.
Garland is having somewhat of a down season, having recorded only 7 goals and 19 assists (26 points) in 50 games for the Canucks, though it’d be tough to find a Canuck having a good season this year.
Conor Garland
Garland is a tenacious small forward, whose game is a blend of underrated puck skill and playmaking ability, combined with a high motor, work ethic, and nose for the dirty areas of the ice. Generally, players standing at 5’10”, 165 lbs aren’t those you expect to drive plays and grind it out in the corners, but Conor Garland really can do it all, and as well has the hands to make the play after retrieving the puck.
It became clear Garland’s time in Vancouver was coming to an end when rumours began to swirl around the Canucks and the New York Islanders attempting to make a deal earlier in the week. Ultimately it is the Columbus Blue Jackets who step up with the deal to secure Garland.
Garland’s previously inked contract extension seems to be what got in the way of the Canucks being able to ask for more back in a trade. Generally a player of Garland’s caliber, especially in this year’s market, would be able to fetch a 1st round pick, or possibly two 2nd’s a la Keifer Sherwood. However, those players are easier to trade when they are a rental, and the acquiring team has the opportunity to negotiate their own contract extension. With Garland’s extension already in place, a big return became difficult for the Canucks to receive.
The return for the Canucks ultimately is less than ideal. Adding yet another 2nd round pick is never a bad thing. However, with that pick not coming until 2028, any player selected (assuming the pick is not traded before 2028) will not be playing in the NHL likely until 2029/2030 at the earliest. Obviously the Canucks would have looked for more, but the world of hockey can shift quickly. When singing Garland’s extension last summer, the Canucks expected to be playoff contenders. Flashforward 9 months, and the Canucks are taking whatever they can get for the aggressive winger.
Trade Deadline Day is officially underway, and the Canucks still have work to do. At the time of writing this, UFA’s Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger, and David Kampf, are still all Canucks, and the expectation is one or all of the aforementioned players will be wearing new colours tomorrow. We won’t have to wait too long to see what GM Patrick Allvin may have up his sleeve.
