Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and GM Don Waddell wanted a young goal scorer with term left on his contract. Just after midnight, Waddell announced he sent a 2026 third-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for F Connor Garland.
"Connor is a versatile player who brings great energy to the lineup every night, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome he and his family to Columbus," Waddell said. Garland, who is currently 29 years old, has 7 goals, 19 assists, 26 points in 50 games played on the last-place, rebuilding Vancouver team. Do not be fooled by those numbers that show he is a 40-50 point player when he is surrounded by talent.
The Blue Jackets have plenty of size in players like Erik Gudbranson, Mathieu Olivier, Mason Marchment, and others so the fact that Garland is just 5-10, 165lb, playing with a high motor while getting the most out of his frame is not that big a deal. He is a puck chaser at both ends of the ice. He can drive the play through all three zones and is effective on the penalty kill and power play.
In no way does Garland slot onto the Blue Jackets fourth line playing limited minutes. It would make sense to place Kent Johnson on the third line and put Garland on the second line with Sean Monahan and Boone Jenner.
Don Waddell has done something no previous Blue Jackets GM has: Waddell has placed a gritty forward on each of the four lines and forwards that are not afraid to mix it up and get under the opposition's skin. The Columbus roster now looks more playoff-ready than ever since the team underwent a rebuild.