With Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin now at the helm, expect the Vancouver Canucks to make some trades over the next few weeks and months.
At Allvin’s first press conference as Canucks GM, Rutherford talked about the Canucks cap issues and hinted at major moves from the organization.
“We got to figure out a way to get a little cushion on the cap,” said Rutherford. “It’s always difficult, but being up against the cap and a team that’s not in the playoffs at this point in time is not a good thing. So some big decisions are coming up.”
Right now, the Canucks do have several trade chips. For example, J.T. Miller has been thrown around on the trade rumour department over the last couple of weeks.
However, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman brought up another name in the trade rumour department on Saturday. He mentioned that Conor Garland might be on the trade block and the teams interested in him are the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames.
According to @FriedgeHNIC, the #Canucks are getting calls from a number of teams about players. Mention Conor Garland might be on the market, while Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat are not. pic.twitter.com/LNsDb4eQBK
— Lachlan Irvine (@LachInTheCrease) January 30, 2022
Of course, Garland was acquired by the Canucks in the big draft-day trade with the Arizona Coyotes. He and Oliver Ekman-Larsson came to Vancouver in exchange for Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel and draft picks including the Canucks 2021 first-rounder.
Garland currently has 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 39 games. He has cooled down after a strong start to the season. The Scituate Massachusetts native has gone pointless in his last four games and only has three points in his last ten games. It also doesn’t help that he spent some time on the COVID-19 protocol.
The 25-year-old has kind of become a fan favourite. Garland is a feisty winger that brings a lot of energy (and spins) to the team. He also is a very good forechecker and he fits Bruce Boudreau’s system well and is good offensively. Also, he is on a very good contract. Shortly after he was traded to Vancouver, Garland signed a five-year contract worth 4.9 million dollars per season.
So with Garland’s name in the trade rumour mill, what do I think you might ask? I think Garland should stay.
However, I would be listening to offers if I were Allvin. Teams are going to love Garland’s contract and what he does on the ice and the Canucks could potentially get a good return.
That return could include high draft picks and prospects. The Canucks also need help with defence, especially on that right side. Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers and Damon Severson of the New Jersey Devils come to mind.
If the Canucks were to trade Garland, it would have to be for an offer that they can’t refuse.
However, unlike Miller, who is UFA in 2023 and is nearing 30, Garland’s contract has good value and is 25. Remember this is also Garland’s fourth season in the NHL and he is just entering his prime years. At the age of 25, he has at least four or five good years left in him and is only going to get better.
He is also projected to be a very good top-six forward for years to come.
On the bright side, Conor Garland is an excellent player. Very underrated talent who should very exciting to watch pic.twitter.com/qnxXWq63ns
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) July 23, 2021
I think Garland is someone the Canucks should keep. He is an exciting player to watch gives a lot of effort every night and is in his prime.
It is unlikely that Garland gets traded in the next few weeks or months but you never know. Rutherford and Allvin are going to have to make tough decisions in order to make and if Garland isn’t part of the plans, then the return for him has to be pretty darn good.