The NHL trade deadline is today at 3 PM ET. Here is your post to talk about all the comings and goings around the league.
The Blue Jackets made a move while we were sleeping, acquiring winger Conor Garland from Vancouver for a 2028 second round pick and 2026 third round pick. Garland is in the last year of his contract, but…last July he signed an extension that kicks in this summer, which will carry a cap hit of $6M for the next 6 seasons. He’ll have a full no-move clause for the first three years (it doesn’t kick in until July 1, hence the trade now) and a 15-team no-trade for the final three years.
His numbers in Vancouver aren’t impressive, with just 7/19/26 in 50 games. For comparison, that’s close to Cole Sillinger’s production. But, in a player that turns 30 on Wednesday and is signed for six more years.
The silver lining is that he’s closer to a 50 point player for most of his career, and is more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer. This description from Harman Dayal (Canucks beat writer at The Athletic) screams “Blue Jacket” to me:
Garland is undersized, but he’s one of the most competitive, high-motor players I’ve covered. He’s a ferocious puck hound and consistently leverages his low center of gravity to win puck battles against bigger, stronger opponents. He’s a slick playmaker down low, with crafty vision and very elusive edge work. Garland’s ability to hold onto the puck and set teammates up for offensive looks in the slot is why he’s usually been such an effective play-driver — he elevates his linemates and won’t ever be the passenger on a line. He’s smart, hardworking and very reliable defensively. Garland’s shot is probably the biggest weakness of his game (which explains why he’s never been a great goal scorer), but he’s typically been an excellent five-on-five player regardless, because of all his other strengths.
Where do you think Garland will fit in the Blue Jackets lineup? Especially with Mason Marchment leaving last night’s game with a lower body injury.
Is Don Waddell finished or do you think there is another move to be made? Can we be both buyers and sellers, in what appears to be a sellers’ market?