Blue Jackets acquire Conor Garland from Canucks for multiple draft picks
The Columbus Blue Jackets have made their first big splash of the trade deadline, as they’ve acquired winger Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and 2026 third-round pick.
TRADE‼️ To CBJ - Conor Garland (RW) 🔁 To VAN - 2028 2nd Round Pick - 2026 3rd Round Pick [per @PierreVLeBrun]
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman was the first to report Garland to the Blue Jackets, while TSN and The Athletic insider Pierre LeBrun was first to report the return. LeBrun also reported about a half hour before the trade that Columbus was making a strong push for the soon-to-be 30 year old after Mason Marchment left the team’s 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury, although he also mentioned he wasn’t sure if the two were related.
Garland wasn’t considered to be a top target for teams at the trade deadline, as his extension which has yet to kick in prevented some flexibility for teams, but he ultimately received plenty of interest from teams before the Blue Jackets finalized a deal with the Canucks. He is in the final year of his five-year contract with a $4.95 million cap hit this season, but signed a six-year extension with a $6 million cap hit last summer.
“Conor is a versatile player who brings great energy to the lineup every night and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome he and his family to Columbus,” Blue Jackets general manager and president of hockey operations Don Waddell said. “He has tremendous character, plays a reliable two-way game and will be an important part of our club now and in the future.”
“We really appreciate all that Conor has done for the hockey club and want to thank him for his five years in Vancouver,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said. “A play driver and strong competitor, he was a key contributor on the ice. Collecting two more draft picks aligns really well with our vision moving forward and will help us in our rebuild.”
Garland has had a down year offensively, as his seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 50 games this year is his worst scoring pace since his rookie season in 2018-19.