New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks discuss Conor Garland trade, $4.95M cap hit in focus
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Daniel Lucente
Mar 3, 2026 (4:09 PM)
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Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Stefen Rosner reports New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks talks on a Conor Garland trade, and the deadline squeeze is suddenly front and center.
Rosner's read is "serious discussions," with Garland as the core name, and possibly "Garland +."
Conor Garland is 29, drafted in 2015, Round 5, by the Arizona Coyotes, and he plays with that low-to-the-ice motor that drags shifts into the offensive zone.
This season he's at 7-19-26, which is not fireworks, but it's real secondary scoring that can live in a top-six when the matchups get nasty.
The money matters, too. Garland is at a $4.95M cap hit in 2025-26, and his six-year extension at $6.0M AAV starts in 2026-27.
The Islanders are 35-21-5, and they're acting like a team that wants one more attack piece before the clock hits zero.
"Keep an eye on the Isles. They're really hovering around Garland."
- Rick Dhaliwal
- Rick Dhaliwal
Rick Dhaliwal's "keep an eye on the Islanders" line hits different when scouts are sitting in the same buildings.
If you're Patrick Roy, Garland is an easy plug, he wins races, slips checks, and can run a wall on the man advantage without stopping the puck.
The Canucks are 18-35-7, and a seller's posture doesn't mean a giveaway, it means they want value that helps the next version.
Conor Garland gives the New York Islanders juice
Isles fans have been waiting for a winger who can turn a harmless cycle into a real chance, and Garland does that with his feet.
The "Garland +" part is where this gets spicy, because it hints Vancouver wants a bigger swing than a mid-round pick.
From the Islanders' side, the cleanest fit is moving money out, not just stacking another cap hit on top.
If this lands before the deadline, watch the next game for line juggling, because Garland only works if he's fed touches, not stapled to low-event minutes.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 3|185 ANSWERS New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks discuss Conor Garland trade, $4.95M cap hit in focus Should the New York Islanders trade for Conor Garland? | ||
| Yes | 148 | 80 % |
| No | 37 | 20 % |
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