The most recent rumors surrounding Conor Garland..
Earlier this week, we highlighted the growing speculation connecting Conor Garland to potential moves involving the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, and Winnipeg Jets. Since then, there has been increased talk about these teams expressing interest in the Vancouver Canucks winger.
Dave Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, on Monday, also indicated that the Blue Jackets and Predators were part of the group showing interest. Pagnotta additionally mentioned that the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes had initiated contact with the Canucks.
However, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, a recent injury to defenseman Luke Schenn is likely to diminish the Predators’ interest. While Pagnotta suggested that Dante Fabbro might be on the table, Friedman now proposes that this might not be the case with Schenn sidelined for the next four to six weeks.
Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun noted that the Jets’ rumored interest in Garland had waned. Nonetheless, he speculated whether this could change after winger Gabriel Vilardi’s exit from Tuesday’s match against the Los Angeles Kings due to a knee injury. Billeck pondered if placing Vilardi on long-term injury reserve, akin to Montreal’s Kirby Dach, would create enough salary cap space to make a move for Garland.
Unlike Dach, who is out for the season, Vilardi’s injury is a sprain that will keep him on the sidelines for four to six weeks. In the case of the Columbus Blue Jackets, they seem open to trading a defenseman. A right-handed blueliner like Adam Boqvist ($2.6 million annual cap hit) or Andrew Peeke ($2.725 million) might be enticing to the Canucks. However, the Jackets have limited cap space, just $3.4 million, and would likely prefer the Canucks to retain a portion of Garland’s $4.95 million cap hit in any potential deal.
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