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Where will Canucks forward Conor Garland get traded?
The Vancouver Canucks are certainly a team that all hockey fans should be watching incredibly closely with the 2026 NHL trade deadline approaching. With how horribly their 2025-26 season has gone, they have made it clear that they are ready for a rebuild. The Canucks could very well have a busy deadline, as several of their players are creating chatter in the rumor mill as trade candidates.
Among the Canucks’ most notable trade candidates is forward Conor Garland. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta recently reported that the Canucks have made Garland available for trade and are willing to move him by the deadline.
With Garland being an impactful top-six forward who has a six-year, $36 million contract extension that starts next season, he should generate a ton of interest leading up to the deadline. Because of this, let’s take a look at three potential trade destinations for the 29-year-old forward.
Red Wings Need Another Top-Six Forward for Their Playoff Push
The Red Wings undoubtedly stand out as a prime potential landing spot for Garland. When looking at their current roster, it is apparent that they are in need of another top-six forward who not only contributes offensively but also is not afraid of the physical side of the game. Due to this, Garland would be an excellent player for them to bring in as they look to end their nine-year playoff drought.
If the Red Wings landed Garland, he could slot wonderfully on their first line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. He would also be a clear choice for the Red Wings’ power play and penalty kill. The Red Wings also have a ton of cap space to work with, so they could afford Garland with ease.
Devils Need to Make a Big Move to Save Their Season
The Devils have been having a very rough 2025-26 season. They currently have a 28-28-2 record and are 11 points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. With the Devils needing offensive help, they should not be afraid to make a splash. Because of this and their clear need for another impactful winger, Garland is a player that they should heavily pursue.
If the Devils acquired Garland, he could work well on a line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. However, due to his versatility, he could also be a good match playing with Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. In either scenario, the Devils’ forward group would get a nice boost if they brought in Garland.
Jets Need Another Top-Six Forward After Losing Nikolaj Ehlers
The Jets have yet to find a proper top-six forward replacement for Nikolaj Ehlers since the star winger signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this past off-season. With this, it would be understandable if the Jets had a player like Garland on their radar.
While the Jets’ playoff hopes are incredibly low at this point in the season, Garland could still make sense for them as a target because he has multiple years left on his deal. Thus, he could be a player worth bringing in to try to boost their struggling offense.
Michael DeRosa Michael covers the NHL for Heavy.com. He has professionally covered the NHL since 2017 and has written for other publications like The Hockey News, BetMGM, Athlon Sports, and The Hockey Writers. More about Michael DeRosa
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