One of the first deals of Trade Deadline Day was a player the Washington Capitals were rumored to be targeting.
Shortly after midnight, the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired forward Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a 2028 second-round pick.
Garland, a 29-year-old winger, had reportedly drawn interest from the Capitals, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, and Boston Bruins.
Garland joins the Blue Jackets as they’ve surged to just one point out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference and three points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus has posted a record of 14-2-1 in their past 17 games and are currently on a three-game winning streak after beating the Florida Panthers 4-2 on Thursday night.
Garland, a Scituate, Mass. native, has recorded 317 points (129g, 188a) in 535 career NHL games during eight seasons with the Canucks and Arizona Coyotes. He’s averaged 20 goals, 29 assists, and 49 points per season.
The winger signed a six-year, $36 million extension ($6M AAV) with the Canucks this past summer that kicks in next season. The Canucks are not retaining any salary in the trade.
