COLUMBUS, Ohio — Shortly after midnight on NHL trade deadline day, the Columbus Blue Jackets have landed one of the more coveted players on the market.
The Blue Jackets are acquiring forward Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks. Columbus is sending a second-round pick in 2028 and a third-round pick in 2026 to Vancouver in return.
The 29-year-old Garland will start a six-year contract extension worth $6 million AAV that he signed with the Canucks on July 1, 2025. The deal includes no-movement clauses for the first three seasons and modified no-trade clauses for the final three seasons.
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Garland has been a productive scorer throughout his career with five seasons of at least 17 goals. But he has struggled this season, scoring just seven goals and 26 points in 50 games. His 6.8% shooting percentage is the worst in his career.
He also provides value on special teams with nine power play points and averaged 1:51 of ice time on the penalty kill, both of which the Blue Jackets could use help in.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-2 win vs. the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. They are now one point behind the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.