03/05/26 11:44:00
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03/05 23:43 CST Blue Jackets start NHL trade deadline day by acquiring Conor
Garland from the Canucks
Blue Jackets start NHL trade deadline day by acquiring Conor Garland from the
Canucks
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
The Columbus Blue Jackets started NHL trade deadline day with a bang by
acquiring winger Conor Garland from Vancouver.
Just after midnight Friday, they sent a third-round pick in the draft this year
and a 2028 second-rounder to the Canucks for the soon-to-be 30-year-old who
drew interest from multiple Eastern Conference contenders.
"Conor is a versatile player who brings great energy to the lineup every
night," Blue Jackets general manager 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."
Garland has seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 50 games this season.
He's signed through 2032 at a salary cap hit of $6 million, a contract that
begins in 2026-27.
The Blue Jackets moved one point back of the second and final wild-card spot in
the East by beating back-to-back champion Florida on the eve of the deadline.
Garland was one of the top available players left on the market after a flurry
of activity Thursday, which including Western Stanley Cup contenders Colorado,
Dallas, Vegas and Minnesota all making a move.
The New York Rangers still have center Vincent Trocheck to potentially move
before the deadline at 3 p.m. EST. After playing and beating Toronto on
Thursday night, they agreed to trade Sam Carrick to Buffalo and still could
have more to sell.
The Panthers also remain a team to watch in the final hours, sitting 10 points
out of a playoff position with 20 games to play. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is
a pending free agent, though depth forward A.J. Greer appears more likely to
get traded.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
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