Connor Garland’s path to joining the Blue Jackets won’t soon be forgotten, by him or anybody who was still awake in Columbus when it happened.
More Blue Jackets news: Columbus Blue Jackets add Conor Garland in surprise late night trade
Advertisement
The news broke roughly two hours after the Blue Jackets won their third straight game March 5 at Nationwide Arena, where they fended off a late comeback push for a 4-2 victory against the twice defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. It was also just past midnight on March 6, about 15 hours before the 3 p.m. arrival of the trade deadline.
Mar 2, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) during a stop in play against the Dallas Stars in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
It was shortly after 9 p.m. in Vancouver when Garland, 29, and his family found out, so the timing wasn’t quite as bonkers for them, but it certainly was for the Blue Jackets and their fans. He steps into a key role with the Jackets’ core group for the foreseeable future, not some fly-by-night bounty hunter who can skip town July 1 when free agency opens.
He’s a Blue Jacket now, and he’ll be one for six more years barring another trade that sends him to another NHL home in the future. So, who is this guy?
Advertisement
Here’s a glance at who the Blue Jackets just added:
COLUMBUS, OHIO – JANUARY 15: Conor Garland #8 of the Vancouver Canucks shoots the puck during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on January 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Where has Conor Garland played before joining Columbus Blue Jackets?
Garland’s NHL path began at the 2015 draft, in which the former Arizona Coyotes selected him in the fifth round with the 123rd pick. Defenseman Zach Werenski was taken eighth in the same draft by the Blue Jackets.
After returning to the Moncton Wildcast of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for one more season (2015-16), Garland started his professional career in 2016-17 and played three years in Tucson, Arizona, with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners before making his NHL debut Dec. 8, 2018, with the Coyotes.
Advertisement
After spending the remaining 47 games of that season in the NHL, scoring 13 goals as a rookie, Garland played his first full NHL season in 2019-20 and finished it with 22 goals, 17 assists and 39 points in 68 games. He played one more season (2019-20) with the Coyotes before a trade July 23, 2021, sent him to Vancouver along with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Garland played the past five season with the Canucks, tallying 82 goals, 139 assists and 221 points in 371 games before being traded to the Blue Jackets.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 28: General manager Don Waddell of the Columbus Blue Jackets attends the first round of the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
What did the Columbus Blue Jackets give up to get Conor Garland?
Garland was acquired from the Canucks in exchange for the the Blue Jackets’ third-round pick in 2026 and second-round pick in 2028. Not having to part with a first-round pick likely was a big factor in the Blue Jackets accepting the terms.
Advertisement
They had 16 picks in the next two drafts prior to the trade and gave up only one with the 2026 third-round pick, which was one of two they had in that round. The Jackets still have seven 2026 picks, with one in each round. They no longer own second-round picks in 2027 or 2028 but kept each of the next four first-round picks and own three 2027 third-round selections.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 28: Conor Garland #8 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Seattle Kraken during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on February 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
What is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Conor Garland’s contract situation?
The Canucks aren’t retaining any salary on Garland, who is making $4.95 million in the final year of his current deal and signed a six-year, $36 million contract extension July 1, 2025, that has a $6 million charge against the NHL’s salary cap.
Advertisement
The cap ceiling for this season is $95.5 million, but will climb to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28, making Garland’s cap number economical for a player who’s capable of reaching 20 goals and 50 points a season.
What are Columbus Blue Jackets forward Conor Garland’s career stats?
Garland has played 535 NHL games, split between the Coyoes and Canucks, and has a career scoring line of 129 goals, 188 assists and 317 points. This season, he has tallied 7-19-26 in 50 games with a plus/minus of -15 for a team that quickly dropped out of playoff contention.
Garland is shooting a career low 6.8% on 103 shots, so there’s reason to believe he’ll score more often if that percentage regresses back toward his 10.3% career percentage on 1,255 shots.
Feb 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) takes a shot on goal during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Blake Dahlin-Imagn Images
What number will Columbus Blue Jackets forward Conor Garland wear?
Well, his No. 8 in Vancouver in’t available on the Blue Jackets. That belongs to Werenski, so Garland has chosen to go back to the No. 83 he wore for the Coyotes. Garland is the first Blue Jackets player to wear that number.
Advertisement
Where is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Conor Garland from?
Garland is from Scituate, Massachusetts, which is located about 10-15 miles from Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle’s hometown of East Weymouth along Massachusetts’ South Shore. Coyle is one of three players Garland already knows in the Blue Jackets’locker room, along with Werenski and Mathieu Olivier, whom he played with in Moncton of the QMJHL.
Garland has also played for United States national teams at the 2021, 2023 and 2025 men’s world championships, winning a bronze medal in 2021 and a gold medal in May 2025 with Werenski.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 16: Conor Garland #8 of the Vancouver Canucks carries the puck against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2025 in New York City. The Canucks shut out the Rangers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Conor Garland a dad?
Yes, Garland and his wife, Meghan, have a son, Quinton, whom they call Quint. He was born in November 2024.
Advertisement
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Getting to know new Columbus Blue Jackets forward Conor Garland