Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
According to David Pagnotta, the Vancouver Canucks don’t really want to trade Conor Garland however are still continuing to entertain calls as Toronto keeps tabs.
Though there’s still other names on the market like Dougie Hamilton and Luke Schenn, the team may also be looking to add some much needed help up front to make sure they can at least outmatch opponents even if they can’t out-defend.
New name appears in trade talks as Conor Garland makes sense for Maple Leafs
Good thing there’s no shortage of options there either, however a new report has brought a name forth who might not be the easiest to acquire — but could make a huge difference.
David Pagnotta reports that while the Vancouver Canucks are a bit hesitant, they are listening to offers for Conor Garland as they look to assess their future going forward.
Pagnotta explained there’s still no guarantee he’ll be traded but Vancouver is at least opening the door:
In between all the turnovers in this Texans/Patriots game (seriously, what is going on), hearing trade talks involving #Canucks F Conor Garland continue. Per sources, Vancouver doesn’t want to move him, per se, but will continue to entertain inquiries.
Garland, 29, has struggled mightily this season but it overshadows how good of a two-way player he’s been.
Garland would fit perfectly but it won’t be easy
In 37 games, he’s posted 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) and a minus-14 however his past four seasons has seen him average over 18 goals and 48 points while finishing with Selke nominations in 2023-24.
Not the biggest player on the ice, that hasn’t seemed to matter much for the Maple Leafs this season as we’ve seen players like Troy Stecher and Matias Maccelli get lots of time even if they’re a bit smaller.
He’s also been remarkably durable over the past four seasons as well, and for a team who has constant injury issues it’s nice to know that he can play game in and game out.
The Canucks would like to keep him as one of their focal points of a rebuild, but there isn’t a guarantee he’ll stick around. Which would be wild considering his new six-year extension kicks in next year and he’ll have much more trade protection.
Toronto could use him anywhere in the lineup and there’s a good chance he finds his stride again on a winning team. But getting him will cost a lot of money in the future and it’ll be another veteran for youth swap.
Easton Cowan is likely headed back with the potential to see their first-rounder as well considering that Garland is locked up long-term. Cowan has shown great progress in his debut season but the team can’t rule out a blockbuster either.
Whether that makes fans upset or pleased is anyone’s guess, but if the Maple Leafs want to make a serious splash, they could do so a bit under the radar by trading for Conor Garland.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
POLL
12 MINUTES AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 5 ANSWERS
The Canucks are taking calls on a ‘not for sale’ winger, and it’s a real price-check for the Leafs
Should Toronto make a trade for Conor Garland or a defenseman?