New Eastern Conference club enters the mix to acquire Vancouver Canucks’ Conor Garland
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An Eastern Conference club is throwing their hat in the ring to try and acquire Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland, who might be moved before the deadline.
This year’s trade deadline is going to be exceptionally busy for Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin as the club begins the initial phase of their rebuild, which will include selling their pending unrestricted free agents, getting younger and loading up on prospects and draft picks.
“We are transitioning into a rebuild here, acquiring younger players through the draft. Obviously, the draft is really important for us. Since Jim and I got [here] three years ago, we’ve definitely always emphasized on getting younger.” Allvin said about the Vancouver Canucks’ plans to rebuild.
Beyond just their pending unrestricted free agents, the Vancouver Canucks are open to making a bigger move and in recent months, Conor Garland’s name has popped up as a potential trade chip for the club before his no-movement clause kicks in on Canada Day.
“There’s been some discussion about Conor Garland, but I’ve heard the preference is to keep him. Another incredibly competitive guy who works. It comes down to someone making an offer they can’t say no to.” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said back in November.
Eastern Conference team enters the mix for Vancouver Canucks’ Conor Garland
If Garland becomes available, there will be a number of teams that’ll want to acquire his services, especially those that in the mix for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and last week, Stephan Roget of Canucks Army mentioned the Columbus Blue Jackets as a potential landing spot for the Scituate, Massachusetts native.
“They’ve left themselves some cap space for virtually any acquisition they might want to make within this season, and their immediate future books look clean, too, with no significant raises impending. The Blue Jackets are also replete with prospects and picks to offer up as potential return.” Roget said about the Blue Jackets’ ability to make a Conor Garland trade.
If getting younger is a big priority for Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford, one player from the Columbus Blue Jackets they could target in a hypothetical Conor Garland trade is none other than Port Moody, British Columbia native Kent Johnson, who has taken a bit of a step back after a breakout year in 2024-25 and could be in need of a fresh start.
In 55 games with the Blue Jackets this season, the 23-year-old centerman has just 18 points (six goals, 12 assists), along with 12 penalty minutes and is under contract for one more year following the 2025-26 campaign at a cap hit of $1.8 million USD.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
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New Eastern Conference club enters the mix to acquire Vancouver Canucks’ Conor Garland
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